Sleep is a crucial part of living a healthy and happy life. But with age, some people find that getting a good night’s rest isn’t always the easiest. Insomnia is a common problem amongst older adults, making it essential to show our love, compassion, and support to help however we can. So, what is the best treatment for insomnia in seniors?
When treating insomnia, it helps to take a multi-pronged approach. Establish a proper routine, create a comfortable sleeping environment, and manage stress where possible. Try to follow a healthy lifestyle, and if you need more support, reach out to a healthcare professional to discuss whether medication could be the answer.
What Is Insomnia?
Insomnia is an extremely common sleep disorder. It can range from mild to chronic, but at its core, it’s characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early without returning to sleep.
While the occasional restless night is nothing to be concerned about, persistent patterns of sleep disturbance may be a sign of insomnia. Over time, it can become a serious health concern that needs to be addressed.
The Long-Term Effects of Insomnia
If you live with chronic insomnia, it can lead to constant sleep deprivation. While this doesn’t sound too bad, it can be a serious problem.
When you’re sleeping, your body performs plenty of vital processes. It’s resting, healing, and recuperating, all while repairing any damage you’ve experienced on a cellular level. But when this process is interrupted in any way—like due to insomnia—your sleep becomes compromised.
As this happens more and more often, it can have severe physical and cognitive consequences. Long-term sleep deprivation often leads to:
- Increased risk of conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes
- A weakened immune system
- Difficulty in concentration, decision-making, and memory retention
- Heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression
- Impaired motor skills and increased risk of accidents or falls
It isn’t just about feeling a little more tired throughout the day—chronic insomnia can have significant negative effects on your life. This makes it essential to learn what could be causing the insomnia so you can address the problem.
What Causes Insomnia in Seniors?
So, what exactly can cause insomnia in seniors? Stress is often a major factor leading to sleep disturbances. But other factors can contribute as well, including:
- Health conditions, such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, which can cause pain or discomfort at night
- Medications such as antidepressants or blood pressure medications that can interfere with sleep cycles
- Irregular sleeping habits
- Napping during the day
- Caffeine or alcohol consumption close to bedtime
- A poor sleeping environment
By understanding what could be causing the insomnia, you can begin to make a plan to help.
How to Help a Senior with Insomnia
When it comes to treating insomnia at any age, it helps to take a wide approach. Instead of focusing on one specific factor, cast a wide net to address several issues.
It can help to start by making adjustments to the sleeping environment. Try to keep the bedroom dark, quiet, and comfortable. Avoid using electronics or watching TV in bed, as the blue light can suppress natural melatonin production. Try to keep a regular sleep schedule; going to bed at the same time every night helps your brain associate that time of day with sleep.
It can also help to:
- Manage stress levels through meditation, deep breathing, or other healthy coping habits
- Limit napping during the day, or only nap for a short time early in the day
- Regularly exercise earlier in the day, as it has plenty of health benefits
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol after dinnertime
If these strategies aren’t helping, it may help to visit a healthcare professional to discuss more in-depth solutions. If you live in senior living, reach out to the team around you. While the above steps can help, they may only make a small difference if there’s a medical cause for your insomnia. Instead, seek the help of a healthcare professional.
They may recommend:
- Certain medications to help regulate sleep patterns
- Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)
- Restricting time spent in bed to only sleep activities to help the brain associate bed with sleep
- Relaxation techniques or other therapies to manage stress and anxiety that may be causing or exacerbating insomnia
- Treating underlying health conditions that could contribute, such as chronic pain or respiratory issues
By taking a wide, multi-angle approach to treating insomnia, you may be able to help address what’s causing sleep difficulties in the first place.
The Importance of Taking Care of Seniors
At Sommerset Neighborhood, we believe in giving older adults what they need for a higher quality of life. Our team is here to help each and every one of our residents by providing care, compassion, and support however we can. Contact our team today!
