Sleeping Problem in Senior Citizens

By: Jason Petrina




Do you roll around in your bed and stare at the ceiling every night? As people get older, it gets difficult to sleep. We try everything to be able sleep at night, but nothing seems to work. Popping sleeping pills every night are also not a great alternative to getting sleep. Why the elderly cannot sleep on a schedule? Is it because of our age or is it because of other problems? Lack of sleep among the elderly can tire the body and lead to many other health factors we never knew linked.

The 2003 National Sleep Foundation Poll has concluded the majority of the elderly Americans cannot sleep. A lack of sleep can lead up to health factors, such as diabetes, heart disease and even arthritis. Cancers and obesity have been recently linked to the lack of sleep among the elderly. Even if you are not obese to begin with, you can still suffer from sleep deprivation. If you have miscellaneous body pain on a regular basis, it can be from your sleepless nights.

So what really causes those sleepless nights? Some elderly people are restricted into their homes, so that in return reduces the ability to exercise. Depression can be developed from the lack of exercise as well. Also, the elderly make frequent washroom trips during the night, which interrupts the sleep patterns. Isolation also plays an important role in why many elderly people cannot sleep. Love from family and friends is often needed, if you have a senior citizen in a nursing home, be sure to visit them on a regular basis to keep them happy. Bringing the kids often also allows you to let them bond.

In order to rid sleep deprivations for the elderly, I highly recommend exercises of both of the brain and the body. Take frequent walks in the morning and evenings to get some fresh air. You may want to consider take up soothing activities, such as Tai Chi or lawn bowling. It is also a great way to meet new elderly friends and spend relaxing afternoons with them. Interaction with other people can energize you and make you feel happy. It has been proving by several scientific studies that morning exercises are more likely to reduce sleep deprivation at night and stimulate your body. So don’t hesitate to take a nice brisk morning walk.

If you have lost your life companion and feel isolation and loneliness, it is very important to keep in touch with family and friends. Letting yourself mourn for a long time may be the reason why you are not getting sleep at night. Slowly let go and visit family and friends and that will help you move on to the next chapter in your life. A great way is by exercising your body and mind as well. You may want to consider going to the local recreation centre and go swimming. Tai Chi is also a great relaxing exercise that will help you exercise the muscles in your body. Lawn bowling is a great way to meet new friends and play a great round of a new sport you’ve never tried.

Sleep deprivation among the elderly can be solved over time. A great way to begin that is by exercising and eating right. Stop with those sleeping pills as a solution to those sleepless nights and try to focus on the positives of your life. Keeping contact and seeing your family and friends often will help you become happier. Try new and exciting activities and in matter of time your sleepless nights will be gone!



Jason Petrina is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit - www.articleclick.com