Sleep Changes in Older Adults
Certain medicines can make it difficult to sleep, and some health conditions can cause you to wake up multiple times throughout the night to urinate. Talk to your doctor about possible underlying health problems.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea causes people to snore loudly and causes their breathing to stop and start while they sleep. It can cause high blood pressure and increase your risk of a heart attack if you stop breathing for too long, and it can also disrupt your sleeping pattern.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
RLS is a condition that causes leg pain or discomfort, and it can feel as if your legs won’t stay still when you’re sitting or lying down. RLS can make it difficult to sleep if you fall asleep while sitting, lying down, or standing up.
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
PLMD is a condition in which you kick your legs while sleeping and are usually unaware of it. It can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue during the day.
How long should an elderly person nap?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, an afternoon nap of 20-30 minutes is ideal for improving alertness and mental performance without interfering with nighttime sleep; however, a new study suggests that an afternoon nap of 1 hour is ideal for improving cognitive functioning in older adults.
Is it normal for a 70 year old to take a nap?
Sleeping for less time, taking longer to fall asleep, waking up more frequently at night, waking up earlier, feeling sleepy earlier, and napping in the afternoon are all common sleep changes for seniors. Sleep remains an important part of our mental and physical health as we age.
Is it normal for 85 year old to sleep a lot?
Is It Normal for Elderly People to Sleep a Lot? As we get older, we tend to get less deep sleep than we did when we were younger, and it’s common for older adults to wake up frequently throughout the night due to aches from arthritis, an overactive bladder, or even increased sensitivity to sounds or temperature changes.
Is it normal for seniors to take naps?
It’s natural for people to sleep lighter as they get older, and waking up in the middle of the night due to achy joints or the need to use the restroom is common. Many seniors compensate for this lost sleep by taking a restorative nap during the day.
What does it mean when an elderly person sleeps a lot?
Sleeping more and more is a common symptom of later-stage dementia, as the damage to a person’s brain becomes more extensive as the disease progresses, and they gradually become weaker and frailer.
Is a 2 hour nap too long?
Is a Two-Hour Nap Too Long? A two-hour nap may leave you groggy when you wake up and make it difficult to fall asleep at night. Aim for napping for 90 minutes, or 120 minutes if necessary. Napping for two hours every day could be a sign of sleep deprivation and should be discussed with a doctor.
How much sleep does a 75 year old person need?
To feel rested and alert, most healthy older adults aged 65 and up require 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
What time should a 70 year old go to bed?
While sleep patterns change with age, adults 65 and older still require between 7-8 hours of sleep nightly, ideally over a continuous period of time, according to their February 2015 report, which reflects the most up-to-date recommendations on sleep needs.
How much sleep is too much for elderly?
Adults (18-64) should sleep for 7-9 hours, while older adults (65+) should sleep for 7-8 hours.
How often should the elderly bathe?
Bathing once or twice a week helps most seniors avoid skin breakdown and infections, and using warm washcloths to wipe armpits, groins, genitals, feet, and any skin folds in between full baths also helps minimize body odor. However, some dementia caregivers say it’s actually easier to bathe every day.
How do you know when an elderly person is giving up?
The following are signs that the body is actively shutting down:
- Weak pulse.
- Changes in consciousness, sudden outbursts, unresponsiveness.
- Noisy breathing.
- Glassy eyes.
- Cold extremities.
- Purple, gray, pale, or blotchy skin on knees, feet, and hands.
- Weak pulse.
Do elderly need more sleep?
Seniors require roughly the same amount of sleep as younger adults u2014 seven to nine hours per night u2014 but many do not get enough sleep because they have more difficulty falling asleep.
What stage of dementia are you most likely to sleep?
Excessive sleepiness is a common symptom of later-stage dementia, and the cause could be one of the following: As the disease progresses, the patient’s brain damage becomes more extensive, and the patient simply wants to lie down.
Is it normal to take a nap everyday?
According to a recent study, napping two or three times a week may be beneficial to your heart health; however, daily napping may be a sign of insufficient nighttime sleep or an underlying health problem. According to one expert, naps should be no longer than 30 minutes and no longer than 90 minutes.