{"id":1950,"date":"2020-02-26T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-26T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.boomershub.com\/?p=1950"},"modified":"2024-06-14T13:21:51","modified_gmt":"2024-06-14T13:21:51","slug":"sleep-change-as-we-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boomershub.com\/blog\/sleep-change-as-we-age","title":{"rendered":"Sleep Changes as We Age: Sleep Hygiene Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Sleep is vital for everyone, regardless of their age. But we can experience Sleep Changes as We Age. Understanding those changes and learning what you can do to improve sleep as you get older will help you get quality sleep at any age. In this blog, we will discuss how sleep changes as we age and some sleep hygiene tips to improve the quality of your sleep.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind assisted living facilities near you<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Sleep Needs of Seniors<\/strong>: How Much Sleep Is Enough?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Some people think that seniors need less sleep than younger adults. While older people may need slightly less sleep than younger adults, it is not by much. According to the\u00a0National Sleep Foundation<\/a>, sleep needs remain consistent throughout a person\u2019s life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although individual sleep needs may vary, the\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>\u00a0recommend adults over age 65 get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each night<\/strong>. While they suggest, adults age 18 to 64 get seven to nine hours of sleep nightly.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind independent living facilities near you<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

REM Sleep in Seniors<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

REM sleep, or rapid eye movement sleep, is a stage of sleep that is usually accompanied by dreaming. This stage of sleep is most prevalent in young adults and children, but it also occurs in seniors. REM sleep is important for consolidating memories and learning new information. It also helps to regulate moods and emotions. In seniors, REM sleep can help to improve cognitive function and memory. It also helps to boost their immune system and keep them healthy. In addition, REM or deep sleep can help to reduce the\u00a0risk of dementia\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0Alzheimer’s disease.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind memory care facilities near you<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Why Does Sleep Change as We Age<\/strong>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It is also common for seniors to develop a pattern of sleeping, referred to as\u00a0advanced sleep phase syndrome<\/strong>. This pattern of sleeping involves going to bed early and waking up early.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although our sleep needs to stay consistent as we age, our ability to sleep well often decreases. Several factors may contribute to a change in sleep in older adults. For example,\u00a0as you age, you produce less growth hormone<\/strong>, which affects how much time you spend in a deep sleep. You may still sleep seven or eight hours a night, but less time is spent in a deep sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sleep also becomes more fragmented as we get older. Older adults tend to wake up more often and easier than younger adults.\u00a0An increase in nighttime awakenings leads to a decrease in restorative sleep<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Insomnia is also common in older adults. According to research in the\u00a0Handbook of Clinical Neurology<\/a>, up to 40 to 50 percent of people over age 60 report disturbed sleep, including insomnia.<\/p>\n

<\/figure>\n

There are several reasons that sleep may change as we get older, including the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Medical conditions:<\/strong>\u00a0Some older adults develop chronic medical conditions, such as arthritis, COPD, or\u00a0heart problems.\u00a0<\/a>Medical conditions can cause symptoms that interfere with getting a goods night\u2019s sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Medication side effects:<\/strong>\u00a0It is not uncommon for older adults to take medication for certain medical conditions. Some medications can lead to side effects that may interfere with sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sleep disorders:<\/strong>\u00a0Although sleep disorders can occur at any age, some types of problems, such as apnea, are more common as we get older.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind home care facilities near you<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Sleep Hygiene Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is still possible to get good sleep as you get older. There are several things you can do to improve your sleep, including the following:\u00a0<\/p>\n