Sleep and Aging Archives - Vista Winds Retirement Community

Sleep disorders in the elderly involve any disruption of their sleep pattern. This can comprise problems falling or staying asleep, excessive sleep, or unusual behaviors concerning sleep.

Causes of Sleep Disorders

Sleep problems are not uncommon in older adults. The amount of sleep required stays constant throughout our adult years. It is suggested that adults get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. In the elderly, sleep is less deep and spottier than sleep in those that are younger.

Sleep disorders in older adults may be the result of any of the following:

Alzheimer’s disease
Use of alcohol
Changes in the body’s natural sleep/ wake cycle, causing some of those to fall asleep earlier in the evening
Chronic disease, like heart failure
Specific medicines, supplements, herbs, and recreational drugs
Depression (this is a common cause of sleep issues in the old and young alike)
Brain and nervous system ailments
Not being very active
Pain caused by diseases like arthritis
Stimulants like caffeine and nicotine
The need to urinate during the night

Symptoms of Causes of Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Symptoms that may occur include:

Trouble falling and staying asleep
Difficulty distinguishing night and day
Waking up early in the morning
Waking up throughout the night (for instance, to use the bathroom)

Examinations and Test

Your healthcare provider is going to revisit the timeline and carry out a physical examination to ascertain it there are any medical causes and establish which type of sleep disorder is causing the issue.

Your healthcare provider may suggest you start keeping a sleep diary or that you have a sleep study (polysomnography) carried out.

Treatment For Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Alleviating chronic pain and managing medical conditions like nocturia or frequently going to the bathroom may improve sleep in some people. Treatments for depression are going to often improve sleep.

Going to sleep in a quiet room, that is the perfect temperature and having a peaceful bedtime routine could help promote symptoms. Other ways to encourage sleep include this healthy way of living tips:

Stay away from large meals shortly before going to sleep. A small bedtime snack could be beneficial. A lot of people find that warm milk promotes sleepiness, because it contains a natural, sedative-like amino acids.
Stay away from stimulants like caffeine for at least three or four hours prior to bed.
Exercise at regular times every day, however, not within three hours of your bedtime.
Head for bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Avoid taking naps.
Stay away from TV or using your computer, cell phone, or tablet in the bedroom.
Avoid tobacco products, particularly prior to sleep.
Only use the bed for sleeping or sexual encounters.

If you are unable to fall asleep after twenty minutes, get out of bed and do a quiet activity like reading or listening to soothing music.

Sleeping Pills and Sleep Disorders

If possible, stay away from the use of sleeping pills to help you go to sleep. They could result in addiction and can make sleep issues worse over time if you don’t use them the correctly. Your healthcare provider should evaluate your risks of daytime sleepiness, mental side effects, and falls prior to you start taking sleep medicines.

If you believe you require sleeping pills, consult with your healthcare provider concerning which ones are safe for you when taken correctly. Particular sleeping pills shouldn’t be taken for longer than directed.
Avoid drinking alcohol at all times when taking/ using sleeping pills. Alcohol can enhance the side effects of every sleeping pill, making them worse.

WARNING: The FDA has petitioned manufacturers of particular sleep medicines to put more powerful warning labels on their products in order for consumers to be more aware of the possible dangers. Potential dangers while taking these medicines include a risky allergic reaction and dangerous sleep-associated behaviors, which could include sleep-driving. Ask your healthcare provider about these risks.

Outlook (Prognosis) of Sleep Disorders

For a lot of people, sleep improves using some type of treatment. Nevertheless, others may continue to have sleep disorders.

Possible Complications of Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Possible complications could be:

Alcohol and/ or drug use
Increased risk of falling (because of frequently urinating at night)

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Is your sleep unlike when you were young? It happens to the best of us.

Almost half of the population over the age of sixty-five say they have no less than one sleep issue. With age, a lot of people have other sleep issues or insomnia.

It’s true that as we get older, our sleep patterns vary. Overall, older individuals sleep less, wake up then fall back asleep more frequently, and spend decreased time in REM sleep or dreaming than their younger counterparts.

However, at any age, you still require quality rest/ sleep to be healthy.

What Causes Sleep Problems as we get Older?

Some typical reasons include:

Poor sleep routines: When you don’t keep a constant schedule for going to bed and waking up, it can impact on your body’s circadian rhythm, making it even harder to get a good night’s sleep. Additionally, at any age, it’s a negative if you consume alcohol prior to bedtime, take too many naps, or lie in bed when you are not actually sleeping.

Medications: Many medications make it challenging to fall or stay asleep or possibly stimulate you to stay awake. If you believe that could be your case, ask your healthcare professional to check.

Anxiety, stress, or heartbreak: Getting older brings a lot of life changes. Many are positive. Others are really difficult. When you lose somebody you love, move out of your family home, or have an issue that changes the way you live, that can result in stress, which can impede your sleep.

If changes like these impact you or an aging loved one, speak with your healthcare professional or an advocate. It could help calm you down so you can sleep better.

Sleep disorders: Other than insomnia, these comprise apnea, restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Your healthcare professional can see if you suffer from one of these ailments.

Too much downtime: A lot of people stay active well into retirement age. However, if your days are too inactive, you may find it more challenging to get a good night’s sleep.

Do You Get Enough Sleep?

Everybody is different. If you sleep to a lesser degree than when you were young but still feel rested and energetic throughout the day, it could be that now you require less sleep.

However, if you have realized that your lack of sleep impacts you throughout the day, let your healthcare professional know. There are measures you can take to get better sleep. A lot are simple adjustments to your daily routine, such as setting a regular bedtime, staying more active, and taking measures to ease your mind prior to you hitting the hay.

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