Sleep Disorder In Elderly – How To Treat It?
Sleep Disorder In Elderly – How To Treat It?
A human body faces a lot of physical changes during the aging process. Along with these changes, sleep disorders or change in sleep patterns are also as normal. They start feeling less sleepy and have problems staying asleep as compared to the time when they were younger. Though this is a normal part of aging, it comes with definite causes and treatment. Here we discuss everything that you should know about disturbed sleep patterns of older people.
Proven Ways To Treat Insomnia In Elderly
When you visit a doctor for insomnia, the most he can do for you is to give you sleeping pills. This is an easy but unhealthy way to treat sleep disorders. Instead, you can work on yourself at home and include new habits in your routine to get enough sleep. If confused, go through the following tips to treat insomnia in the elderly.
Tips Related To Sleep For Older People
Take steps to improve sleep habits
- Keep the environment of your bedroom as you prefer when you sleep. Check that your bed is comfortable, and the room is dark, cool and quiet. Older people are very sensitive to noise and thus, need a quiet environment to have a sound sleep.
- Avoid watching TV or using a computer at least an hour before your sleeping time.
- Limit the intake of sleeping pills.
Be regular with your sleep routine
- You know that you need a lot of time to achieve sleep. So, go to your bed earlier.
- Develop habits that bring sleep. Consider listening to music, taking a bath or meditation before going to bed.
- Be regular with your sleeping and waking up time every day.
Improve your diet
- Avoid the intake of alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit caffeine intake. In fact, avoid having coffee, chocolate or tea soda late in the evening.
- Make sure your stomach is full before you go to your bed. The least you want is to fall asleep after an effort and then wake up in the midnight due to hunger.
- Eat healthy. It will take you to cut on sugary foods and also avoid eating oily or junk snacks.
Physical activity
- Go for evening walks.
- If possible, consider going for moderate jogging early in the morning, in the fresh air.
- Exercise
Mental Health
- You won’t need any medicines, and you won’t face sleeping problems if you have a healthy mind.
- Listen to calming music or podcasts.
- Discuss your worries with your family and carers.
- Get a massage, if that makes you feel better.
- Spend some time with your friends.
- Do things that make you happy. It could be visiting places, eating your favorite food or even playing with your grandchildren.
Practical Key Points
- The tendency to sleep reduces as aging. So, no matter what you do, you won’t be able to have the same amount of sleep as you had when you were younger. So, stop comparing and making yourself feel sick.
- Be happy, and you’ll stay healthy.
