As we get older our sleep cycles start to change. It is difficult to function on little, or unrested sleep. That is why Idaho Assisted Living works to provide a safe sleeping environment for their residents, to ensure a better quality of sleep and therefore, a better quality of life.
Mental and Medical Problems
One of the biggest reasons behind sleep troubles for seniors are underlying health issues. This means that many seniors will struggle with sleep even if they have struggles with physical issues that do not have “sleep issues” as a primary symptom. Some of the top physical and mental health issues that disrupt or cause unrested sleep are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
One of the most difficult things about sleep and health issues with seniors, is that many seniors are diagnosed with more than one health problem that could cause problems with sleep.
Sleep Disorders
Another element of physical issues that is important to address is that of sleep disorders. These can take form in serious and trivial forms. Sleep disorders can include the following:
- Sleep Apnea
- Snoring
- Breathing Disorders
The likelihood of sleep disorders goes up with age. These disorders are a serious problem because they can lead to other health problems, an increased mortality rate, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and strokes. All of these symptoms are most common in people over the age of 40, which is why we see so many sleep disorders in our elderly population.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Many seniors struggle with Restless Legs Syndrome. This syndrome can cause restlessness, itching, and the crawling of skin as one is trying to fall asleep, all symptoms disrupting the quality of sleep. This syndrome is very important to treat and can lead to other health and mental issues, like depression, anxiety, or insomnia.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a very common problem among seniors. It is characterized by the difficulty to fall asleep or remain asleep. Many times people with insomnia will also experience drowsiness during the daytime and other impairments cognitively and physically that are connected to sleep deprivation.
How to Help With Sleep Deprivation
Mental and Medical problems, Sleep Disorders, Restless Legs Syndrome, and Insomnia can all cause sleep deprivation in seniors and can directly affect the quality of life due to a lack of sleep. Therefore, in order to help seniors have the highest quality of life it is important to help them have a higher quality of sleep. Some factors that influence sleep deprivation are beyond our control, however there are some factors that we can influence. One of these factors is the environment in which a senior lives and sleeps in. At Idaho Assisted Living facilities, they work to create a positive and safe environment that can help the quality of sleep their senior residents receive. Through friendly staff, a clean, safe, and beautiful living space, and help with other areas of physical and mental life, Assisted Living Care facilities are an ideal place to help seniors get the quality of sleep they need, and therefore, help secure the quality of life their residents deserve.