Importance of Sleep for Older Adults
“Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together” - Thomas Dekker
Synonymous with rejuvenation, healing, and rest, sleep is that ‘golden period’ in which the body does all the restorative processes, including recovery from exercise, healing from wounds and diseases, repairing and rejuvenating cells, consolidating memories, and processing emotions. At any age, all adults need quality rest to be healthy—about 7-9 hours of undisturbed sleep, to be exact. And as a person ages, sleep becomes even more necessary for an individual. A disrupted sleep cycle is the cause of various disorders ranging from depression to dementia in older adults.
Ever since the advent of the ‘digital world’, doctors cannot overstate the importance of sleep now more than ever. Sleep disorders are more common than ever and even young adults between 16-25 are also developing sleep disorders nowadays.
Having a healthy sleep cycle is absolutely imperative for someone to have a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Old Age and Sleep
As all adults, older adults also need about 7 to 9 hours of undisturbed sleep each night! But, older people tend to go to sleep earlier and get up earlier than they did when they were younger due to various reasons. Sleep patterns change as a person gets older because the amount of melatonin (sleep hormone) produced by the body reduces significantly as a person ages which is the leading cause why older people have difficulty sleeping. Disrupted sleep in older people often leads to them spending longer in bed, or sleeping at odd hours throughout the day, to catch up. All this leads to unpleasant consequences and can even result in the development of various disorders in older adults.
The mental health and emotional well-being of a person is also deeply connected to sleep. Having a good sleep cycle and getting enough sleep reduces stress and the chances of developing depression in aging adults.
Hence it is extremely important for a person as they age to understand the importance of sleep and take optimal measures for a good nightly sleep.
Benefits of Sleep for Older Adults
- Increased Alertness:- A well-rested body provides optimum energy levels and alertness throughout the day for a person. Especially for elders, nutrition and sleep are extremely important to rejuvenate the body and mind, providing all the energy that is needed for the day. Sleep also increases concentration, focusing ability, and attention span in a person. Therefore it is very ignorant to disregard the power of sleep especially for older adults. One could say that a well-balanced diet, exercise, and sleep are the cornerstones for the healthy life of an aging adult.
- Enhanced Memory:- Research has consistently shown that optimum amounts of sleep (7-8 hours) greatly promote memory in older adults. This greatly reduces the risks of developing mental disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Memory is one component that is the most susceptible to deterioration as a person ages. Sleep is heavily linked to restoring the mental well-being of an aging adult. Having a good sleep pattern is imperative for an aging adult to steer away from loss of memory and the development of certain mental disorders.
- Reduced Medication Usage:- Experts agree that sleeping pills should not be used for a longer period of time as they have multiple side effects like dizziness, consistent headaches, dependency, etc. Therefore, maintaining an optimum sleep schedule reduces the need for any kind of medication.
- Reduced Symptoms of Depression:- Sleep is deeply related to not just the physical but also the mental and emotional well-being of a person. 90% of people who consistently got 8-9 hours of sleep reported less to no symptoms of depression! Sleeping too little or too much has adverse effects on the mental health of a person, especially aging adults. Sleeping too little or too much can also be a symptom of an underlying condition like depression. Therefore, maintaining a proper sleep schedule a comfortable sleep environment is very important for an older adult.
Benefits for Senior Adults
Here are some healthy habits that will ensure a good night’s sleep:-
- Having a set wake-up time and bedtime.
- Setting away all digital appliances (phones, tablets, laptops) at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime.
- Meditation and deep breathing.
- Regular exercise and physical activity.
Role of Communities like Hummingbird Senior Resort Living
Communities like Hummingbird Senior Resort Living offer great assistance to the elderly struggling with sleep issues in several ways. These communities provide a safe, secure environment where the residents can get the rest they need, free from all disturbances and interruptions. They provide 24-hour holistic care and monitoring that allows the residents to get proper rest at night. Senior living communities offer healthy activities, like stretching, exercises, and meditation classes to help aging adults relax their minds before going to sleep at night. Free from the stress of daily chores, residents in communities like Hummingbird Senior Resort Living receive a good sleep environment which is absolutely necessary for an undisturbed sleep at night. Senior living communities also provide a brimming community that rescues aging adults from social isolation which leads to an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression thereby, promoting a healthy sleep pattern.
Conclusion
At Hummingbird Senior Resort Living, we make sure that your loved one can enjoy an undisturbed, peaceful, and deep nightly sleep. Absolutely committed to the well-being of our residents, our dedicated staff at Hummingbird Senior Resort Living makes sure that everyone gets their daily dose of well-deserved sleep and positively age with us!
