Quality sleep is essential for everyone to live their best life, but for seniors, it makes all the difference in keeping both body and mind spry and engaged. Good sleep impacts physical strength, memory, and even mood from day to day. Aging introduces many minor health issues and concerns, and getting the rest we need can get more challenging. However, when seniors reside in assisted living and memory care communities, they can receive much-needed support to complete the surprisingly challenging task of getting proper rest each and every night.
Senior Sleep Challenges
Everything changes as we age: interests, hobbies, health concerns, and, yes, sleep needs. Many seniors find it harder to get the deep, restorative sleep they need and often wake up more during the night. Even though most older adults still need about 7-8 hours of sleep for the best health outcomes, it’s not always easy to achieve that.
When someone’s sleep routine shifts forward, it’s known as a phase advance. Instead of falling asleep at 10 pm and waking up at 6 am, some seniors might get tired earlier and fall asleep at 8 pm. As a result, their entire routine shifts, and they start waking up at 4 am. While some people have reasons to keep this schedule for various work or life reasons, it’s generally better for seniors to match natural circadian rhythms and avoid waking up hours and hours before the sun rises.
There are plenty of reasons why seniors may struggle with sleep and change their routines. Many chronic health issues, like arthritis or Parkinson’s, can make it tough to get comfortable at night, and memory conditions can cause confusion that makes sleep less regular. Medications, too, can sometimes come with side effects that make sleep elusive.
Can Senior Care Facilities Promote Quality Sleep For Senior Residents?
Sleep care is all about personalization. Each resident at an assisted living or memory care facility is unique, and their individual preferences regarding sleep and routines will all vary. Some residents might like to go to bed early, while others are night owls. Either way, staff can adjust most or all of their care approaches to match these natural rhythms, which makes a big difference in how well residents sleep.
The best way to get quality sleep is to follow best practices, which start with proper exercise and movement to wake up and tire out the body. Getting physical activity in the morning helps boost both mood and energy, which translates to better sleep later on. Throughout the day, exercise burns off excess energy. Then, evening activities are kept relaxing to help everyone comfortably ease into bedtime. As it gets later, even simple things like aromatherapy and gentle music make it easier for residents to drift off and enter into their typical routine.
Specialized sleep support is especially important for residents in memory care. Many seniors with dementia have more pronounced sleep disturbances, like confusion or increased anxiety as night approaches. Staff pay extra attention to these residents and always aim to make their stay at the facility as calm and relaxing as possible. Making memory care residents feel more comfortable and secure sets them up for better sleep and can help eliminate sleep concerns without the need for additional medication or health interventions.
At A Banyan Residence, we aim to provide all residents with a safe, secure, and relaxing environment to help them live their best lives and gain the rest they need to feel their best. Contact us today to schedule a visit to our facility and see firsthand how we make a difference in our residents’ lives.
