We all need to get adequate sleep at night. But it will probably come as no surprise to you that seniors need good sleep more than any of us. It’s harder to rest peacefully throughout each night when you’re in your later years. Consider the fact that frequent trips to the bathroom can be a problem. Add that to the constant aches and pains that come with old age and you have a recipe for sleeplessness that’s hard to contend with.
Before we answer the question posed by the title of this week’s blog, let’s further explore why good sleep is so necessary for your aging parent.
Fatigue leads to illness.
For the elderly, a good sleep is their most effective medication. Consider the fact that an older person’s immune system is weaker than his/her younger counterparts. A lack of sleep has been known to contribute to such ailments as heart disease, diabetes and even breast cancer, notes ComfortKeepers.com. The site goes on to recommend a few tips to help seniors sleep better at night. They include having a sleep schedule, changing eating habits and creating a “sleep plan”.
“Changing nighttime routines, and daily activities, can have an impact on sleep,” says the Comfort Keepers website, “Some people find that more physical activity during the day helps them sleep better. Others find that napping during the day makes it harder to sleep at night, while some aren’t affected. Meditation before bed, a warm bath or reading time at night can all be part of a sleep plan, if they help.”
Adequate sleep helps with concentration and memory.
Have you ever felt that you couldn’t focus because you were tired? Welcome to being human. We’ve all been there. Getting proper sleep each night isn’t just good for your physical health. It’s important for your mental and emotional well-being too. Asbury.org points out that a good night’s rest helps to keep your brain healthy and your memory sharp.
“It’s well known that sleep deprivation has a negative impact on your attention span and short-term memory,” the site notes, “Lack of sleep also weakens your decision-making ability and your long-term memory as well. And over time, too little sleep can even contribute to cognitive decline, memory loss and increase your risk for developing dementia.”
Proper rest is a detoxifier.
According to research, there is a mechanism that removes waste products from the brain. It is mainly active during sleep. “This revelation could transform scientific understanding of what sleep is for, and how it works and offers new directions for brain disease treatments,” says MedicalNewsToday.com.
“Contrary to popular belief, our brains don’t slow down while we’re sleeping,” affirms Asbury.org, “Scientists are learning more about the glymphatic system, which serves as a waste disposal system in our bodies and clears harmful toxins and debris from our brains. The glymphatic system is almost 10 times more active during sleep than it is during wakefulness.”
So let’s answer the question that is this blog’s title, shall we? At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we’re committed to helping seniors sleep better at night. Give us a call at 403-460-5438 to learn about the adjustable beds we have available! You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
