Studies find that as much as 30% of adults worldwide have insomnia. There are two levels. Chronic insomnia is diagnosed when sleep problems occur three or more times a week for at least three months. When sleeplessness occurs less frequently, it is short-term insomnia.
Your mom always wakes up at 2 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep. It’s been months since she slept through the night, and you can’t understand what’s happening. Here are some common causes of insomnia in older adults.
Changes to the Circadian Rhythm
As you age, your body’s circadian rhythm changes. You don’t settle into a deep sleep as quickly or stay in that stage. You find yourself falling asleep earlier and waking up earlier. It’s not uncommon for an older adult to be ready for bed at 8 a.m. and wake up before 3 a.m.
Anxiety and Depression
Mental health can lead to insomnia. Depression and anxiety are reasons your mom may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. She can’t shut off her mind, so she wakes up too early and tries to function without enough sleep.
Side Effects of Medications
Many medications cause insomnia. Blood pressure medications are an example. Alpha-blockers reduce REM sleep, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. Beta-blockers also impact sleep quality by impacting the body’s production of melatonin.
Antidepressants, corticosteroids, statins, and anti-inflammatory drugs are other common prescriptions that impact sleep. If your mom is on any of these and has difficulty staying or falling asleep, she should talk to her doctor to see if there are alternatives.
Too Little Activity During the Day
The other issue leading to insomnia is a lack of activity during the day. If your mom sits around and doesn’t get outside in the sun and fresh air, it can make it harder for her body to settle down at night.
She will not be tired and cannot sleep when she naps all afternoon. Make sure she’s up and active for at least 30 minutes daily. Instead of napping, she needs to find a hobby she can do inside. She wants to tire her brain out to make it easier to sleep at night.
Home care is one of the best ways to ensure your mom is busy during the day. If she’s known to take long naps that make it hard for her to sleep at night, arrange to have caregivers get her out of the house for walks in the park, activities at area attractions, and time in her garden. Home care services support your mom’s active lifestyle, so she may find it easier to sleep at night.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care in Buckeye, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings for Seniors Companion Care at (623) 594-0819.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5353813/
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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