Aging brings some changes to sleep. Although aging itself doesn’t change sleep, it’s common thing for older adults to get to sleep earlier in the evening and sleep more deeply than when they were younger. So, when you get older, don’t expect to sleep as long and soundly as when you were younger. That is why when your older relatives say they don’t sleep well. You can help them improve things while figuring out the most common causes of sleep problems in aging.
Some of the most common health conditions that can cause sleep issues in older adults include:
- Heart and lung issues that affect breathing
- Osteoarthritis and other painful conditions
- Urinary problems that cause urination at night
- Depression and anxiety
- Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
- Medication side-effects
Proper treatment of insomnia can reverse insomnia-related morbidities, including the risk of depression, disability, and impaired quality of life. However, before medication, it’s recommended to try the following sleep habits to foster healthy sleep.
- Keep the same sleeping schedule on weekends or when you travel.
- Stick to a bedtime routine like reading or listening to music to cure your body and brain that it’s time to sleep.
- Gadgets and screens can interfere with sleep. Keep them all out of the bedroom.
- Limit the amount of caffeine you intake in the afternoon and evening.
- Forget about the habit of drinking alcohol to help you sleep well.
- Don’t drink liquids late in the day.
