Getting a good night’s sleep is critical for optimal health. The Side Effects and Complications Associated with sleep disorders are irritability, fatigue, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disorders, chronic disease, diabetes, depression, behavioral issues, stroke, and brain function impairment. If not rectified, over time, sleep deprivation can lead to heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, and other serious complications.
As individuals age, their sleep patterns change. During the night, many seniors sleep much more lightly than when they were younger. This can cause abnormal amounts of sleeping during the day and the reason for these sleep pattern changes can happen for various reasons.
Aches and Pain
Many times, aches and pains or restless legs syndrome can keep the elderly awake. Having to use the bathroom multiple times is also a huge sleep disruptor, and in some cases, certain medications can cause sleep disturbances.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects more than 25 million people in the United States. It is a progressive condition that interrupts breathing patterns throughout a person’s sleep. People that suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) may have episodes of stopping breathing up to hundreds of times per night for 10 seconds or longer, and along with this disruption comes many adverse side effects and morbidities due to the lack of oxygen.
What are the Side Effects and Complications Associated with Sleep Apnea?
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Chronic disease
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Behavioral issues
• Stroke
• Brain health impairment
Going to Sleep Too Early & Blue Light
The circadian rhythm can easily get disrupted since the elderly often go to bed much earlier than they should, which also can cause the to wake up very early and not get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep. Blue light is a major circadian rhythm disruptor. Blue light emits wavelengths that contribute to sleep disturbances. Blue light comes from artificial lighting and electronics like fluorescent and LED lightbulbs, laptops, mobile phones, iPad, television, some alarm clocks, fiber-optic cable boxes, and other devices that use blue light. The issue is that blue light makes your brain think that it’s still daytime, which makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep.
Neurodegenerative Disease
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are well known to cause what’s known as sundowning. Because the brain is degenerating, it causes miscommunication, and this leads to the issue of not knowing that it’s time to sleep and instead walking around the home during the night. Although sundowning is common in people with cognitive decline, these individuals usually sleep during the daytime.
Ways to Help Improve Sleep
• Ask your Doctor about natural supplements or prescription sleep medications
• Block all blue light and stimuli 90 minutes before bed
• Get plenty of sunlight or blue light in the daytime to balance your circadian rhythm
• Sleep in cool temperatures (67 degrees is preferable)
• Keep Blue Light out of your room to make sure it’s dark (block outside lights too)
• Make sure you have comfortable bedding
• Keep your sleeping area quiet
• Exercise early in the day (not before bed)
• Read or meditate before you go to sleep
• Get a Sleep Apnea Device or CPAP machine if applicable
McKenney Home Care in Naples, FL hosts a Lewy Body Dementia Support Group on the first Wednesday of every month. This ongoing support group is approved by the Lewy Body Dementia Association in Atlanta and is in affiliation with the Parkinson’s Association of SWFL and the Alzheimer’s Support Network.
McKenney Home Care provides exceptional in-home health services and client-centered care. With a passion for maximizing the quality of life of their clients and their families, they are driven to ensure social engagement and specialty services during all stages of life.
For Individuals with neurodegenerative disorders, McKenney Home Care delivers enriched specialized training for its caregivers working with Dementia Patients. In addition to specialized videos and manuals, McKenney educates the caregivers through the use of the Virtual Alzheimer’s App. This virtual reality experience helps caregivers understand the feelings and experience of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia.
Along with their medical expertise, McKenney Home Care is a certified Music & Memory Agency. Providing help for Dementia Patients; this specialized music therapy program is highly personalized and has been shown to reduce the need for anti-anxiety and antipsychotic drugs by up to 50%, while brining joy to the lives of patients who have Dementia.
If you or someone you know would like more information about McKenney Home Care or the LBD Support Group, please call McKenney Home Care at 239-325-2273, or visit mckenneyhomecare.com.
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239-325-CARE (2273)
9655 Tamiami Trail North #201, Naples, FL 34108