As people age, the amount of sleep they require tends to decrease. However, most adults, even seniors, require at least seven to eight hours of sleep to be fully rested and have the mental and physical energy needed for the day.

‍

Many seniors do not get the required amount of sleep per night. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 70% of seniors are struggling with chronic sleep issues, with over 50% of these undiagnosed. Often seniors do not report sleep issues as they may not realize that having difficulties getting to sleep and staying asleep is not a normal part of the aging process.Another reason why seniors may not report sleep problems is concerns about using sleep medications.

‍

Seniors experiencing depression, loneliness,isolation, and boredom may also sleep throughout the day, which makes it more challenging to get to sleep at night. This disturbs the normal sleep pattern and results in going to bed later and waking up throughout the night.

‍

Common sleep problems seen in elderly care include sleep apnea, or interrupted breathing that wakes the individual up in the night. Other common conditions that prevent a good night's sleep include restless leg syndrome, REM sleep disorders, chronic pain, and changes in the body's circadian rhythms that make it difficult to go to sleep at night and causes the individual to wake up earlier.  

‍

Often the signs of sleep problems are first noted by the home health care provider or the family. These signs include:

• Excessive sleeping during the day
• Falling asleep during activities that are engaging and interesting
• Low physical and mental energy levels
• Lack of interest in daily activities not related to other medical issues
• Irritability and mood swings
• Difficulty with concentration and memory recall

How Senior Care in Alexandria, VA, Can Improve Sleep

Capital City Nurses provides a range of different services that can help seniors to get a good night's sleep.Two of the most important factors we provide are emotional support and mental health support, helping seniors to overcome feelings of being alone and isolated.

Our in-home care providers also help seniors to shop and prepare meals, providing the proper nutrition to fuel their bodies and help with energy levels throughout the day. When seniors are more active,they tend to get to sleep faster and have a better quality of sleep.

We work with seniors through rehab and post-op care, helping to reduce stress and assist with strategies to reduce pain and increase personal comfort. Our services also include personal hygiene solutions to help seniors to manage and prevent nocturnal accidents.

The medication management aspects of our services help seniors to remember to take medications on the right schedule,eliminating the problem with meds creating sleep challenges.

Our senior companion program staff are also able to talk to seniors about their sleep if they notice any breathing problems or the signs of poor quality sleep. Our team of professional senior care giving staff can also help seniors to develop regular sleep routines, including bedtime and waking hours.

How Do In-Home Care Services Provided by Capital City Nurses Help Seniors Cope with Insomnia?

In addition to all the services mentioned above, our in-home caregivers and specialists in Alzheimer's and dementia care also spend time interacting with seniors on a regular basis. They become trusted companions, and they help seniors to address any issues they are experiencing in a supportive, compassionate, and caring way.

To find out more about the services we offer at Capital City Nurse sin Alexandria, VA, call us today at (866)807-7307.