Older adults experience changes in sleeping patterns and habits that are part of normal phases of development. Changes in sleeping patterns, though, do not mean that sleep quality should diminish. Older adults require quality sleep every night in order to function at the highest level each day. According to Harvard Medical School, there are several common factors that cause sleep disturbance for older adults. Poor sleep habits and sleep environment are critical factors that influence older adults’ sleeping patterns.
Poor sleep habits are varied and dependent on the lifestyle of the individual. Falling asleep in front of the television or dozing off on the couch are two examples of poor sleep habits. To fix poor sleep habits, outline a nighttime ritual and follow it. Research suggests turning off electronics an hour before bed. Drinking non-caffeinated tea and reading a book are common activities that precede sleep. Refrain from engaging in activities in your bed that are not related to sleeping or intimacy.
Your bedroom is the environment in which you fall to sleep. Look around your bedroom and identify parts that bring around anxiety and stress. Is your bill basket on your nightstand, reminding you of the debt on your credit card? Do you have clutter stacked on your dresser? Change aspects of your bedroom that cause anxiety. Your bedroom should be a place that elicits peace and calm. If you’re not sure how to transform your sleeping environment, reach out to people who love you for advice.
About Doolittle Home
For an affordable monthly fee, Doolittle Home of Southeastern MA, provides 24/7 nursing care, a licensed nursing unit, onsite nutrition with a registered Dietician, Physical, Occupational, Speech therapies various activities and hairdressing services. A small resident to staff ratio ensures that your loved ones receives the best care possible.
Doolittle Home is proud of its top-notch reputation and recently received a Deficiency Free Survey from the Massachusetts Board Of Public Health. With increasingly stringent regulations, achieving the deficiency-free rating is exceedingly difficult. These surveys, and the subsequent ratings, are a useful tool for prospective and current residents; their families and health care practitioners, to make informed choices about the quality of a long term care facility. It takes an entire team effort to achieve this distinguished rating. DeAnna Willis, Executive Director with the continuous efforts of the entire staff, including activities, maintenance, housekeeping, dietary, and professional medical staff, collaborate daily to provide exceptional care, which is the hallmark of the Doolittle Experience.
Doolittle Home is located at 16 Bird Street Foxboro, MA conveniently situated on the corner of Bird and Baker Streets minutes from Foxboro Common. Click Here to visit our website.
Interested in scheduling a tour? Call DeAnna Willis 508-543-2694
Offer your Mom a day of relaxation. How does your Mom like to unwind? If she enjoys gardening, purchase flowers and gardening supplies for her. Plant flowers together. Watching a movie in a cool theater followed by a homemade picnic lunch is a different way to relax. Engaging in mindfulness meditation and yoga practices together is yet another activity that gets stress out of the way and peace back into the picture.
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a common complaint for patients who take multiple medications. Saliva is the body’s defense again cavities. Naturally occurring bacteria that live in your mouth produce acids that cause tooth decay. Saliva acts to neutralize these acids. Chewing sugar free gum helps to increase the flow of saliva in your mouth and help prevent tooth decay!
The same is not the case for the lower set. Because you have a tongue in the middle, the lower dentures rest on much less of the gums. Since the tongue is always moving, it is difficult to keep the lower dentures in place. Under these circumstances, a relatively new option is to place 2 titanium implants into the lower jaw and attach them to the denture with 2 “buttons”. The results have been remarkable!
Interested in sharing your expertise? Become a guest blogger. Call Allison at 508-543-2694 for details.
Language & Limitations Can Get In The Way
Here are some helpful tips for enhancing the flow of communication with seniors.
More and more seniors have adopted cell phones, voice mail e-mail and even Skype, which is live video chat via the internet. For those who do not feel comfortable with the new technologies, you will need to communicate on their terms, at their own pace, with patience and kindness.
