Sleep disorders and sleep disturbances are very common in the United States, and insomnia is a condition that affects people regularly, regardless of age. Unfortunately, this problem doesn’t just make people tired – it affects mental and physical health profoundly. Sleep disorders impact the daily lives of individuals of all ages from various walks of life.
when it comes to seniors, there are many different reasons that insomnia may occur, and the details are different from case to case. But, if your elderly loved one suffers from insomnia, you can help them significantly by learning more about what is causing their sleep to be disrupted. Sleep disorders of this kind can result in adverse effects that change how someone experiences their daily life. Therefore, if you care for an elderly individual (or your family member lives in an adult residence) and are struggling with insomnia, it’s essential to be aware of how it affects them.
What Exactly is Insomnia?
Insomnia is the most commonly known of the sleep disorders. It is recognized as the constant and persistent issue of falling or remaining asleep. People may awaken several times throughout the night after falling asleep initially – or not be able to fall asleep at all. Sometimes, even though they sleep, those who struggle with insomnia may actually sleep but then awaken feeling restless and fatigued. There are several types of insomnia, each characterized by its own symptoms, including how long the condition last and how it affects the individual. The two most common forms of insomnia include:
Acute Insomnia: Most people have dealt with this type of insomnia at one point or another. Many people experience sleeplessness because of a current situation or ongoing circumstance that is troubling. Typically, once the cause of the anxiety is resolved, insomnia tends to dissipate.
Chronic Insomnia: This type of insomnia is not situational but recurring. It impacts someone continuously, whether or not a stressor is present. The condition is more complicated than acute insomnia and can be caused by normal stress, medication use, or changes in lifestyle.
Experts have identified some of the primary reasons individuals experience acute and chronic insomnia, but this blog is concerned with the causes of insomnia in as they affect senior citizens. Older adults often experience sleep disorders for different reasons than younger people.
Many seniors are forced to cope with sleep issues. Not every older adult experiences chronic insomnia, but a large enough portion of the population does – warranting an explanation. Some of the more common causes of sleep disorders and insomnia include:
- Grief
- Stress and Anxiety
- Loneliness and Lack of Comfort
- Depression
- Alcohol or other Substance Use
- Too Many Naps
- Medication side effects
- Irregular Schedules
Sleep disorders can cause problematic situations in daily life. They may feel fatigued all day, may experience a lack of clarity and focus or feel they have no energy. Other side effects of this insomnia include agitation, irritability, lack of coordination, and tension headaches.
When Your Aging Loved One Experiences Sleep Disorders
If a senior in your family is suffering from insomnia and needs relief, it is vital that they get the required help they need so as to restore healthy sleep patterns. Companionship and in-home care services may help to improve your loved one’s mood and serenity level, and those in assisted living may be helped by joining community activities. Doing so can help to eradicate loneliness and stress, which are common causes of sleep disorders in senior citizens.
A Banyan Residence in The Villages offers professional and compassionate senior living options, including assisted living and memory care.
