Since 20 percent of the U.S. population will be aged 65 or older by 2030, how well the elderly sleep will have a significant impact on public health in the United States for decades.
Seniors often have a harder time falling asleep than their younger counterparts, due to a number of factors. Changing sleep patterns, declining mobility, susceptibility to insomnia and certain medications can all prevent you from getting the 7-8 hours of sleep all adults need each night.
Let’s look at products that people aged 65+ might use to help avoid fitful sleep.
The Right Mattress
Sleeping on the right mattress has been proven to increase quality of sleep. The type of mattress you need first depends on whether you sleep on your back, stomach or side. For example, sleeping on your side can ease neck pain and arthritis so long as you chose a mattress that contours to the curved parts of body — the shoulders, hips, knees.
For seniors specifically, a bed with an adjustable base is a great option, as it allows you to elevate your head if you suffer from acid reflux or sleep apnea, and it also lets you raise your feet to encourage circulation and limit morning aches and pains. Also, as seniors, since you will use the edge of your bed to get a grip as you stand up, you need a mattress with a sturdy edge that will provide you with necessary support.
A Good Pillow
Besides for ensuring that they have a good, comfortable mattress, seniors should also look into different sorts of pillows or bed wedges that will help keep the body aligned. Using such products will prevent you from waking up with sore, aching muscles, since the closer you get to sleeping with a straight spine from neck to lower back, the less likely you are to wake up feeling sore.
A Bed Rail
Using a sturdy bed rail will ease fears of falling while getting in and out of bed.
Did you know that 1/3 of all seniors will fall at least once per year? This is because getting in and out of bed becomes harder as you age, since the joints stiffen and bones weaken. Using a bed rail will make you feel and be safer.
Certain style bed rails can be anchored in place by slipping them in the space between your mattress and box spring. Others can be attached permanently to the bed frame.
A Bed or Table Tray
Limit the number of times you get in and out of bed by using a bed table or tray.
Something as simple as a tray will keep books, a tablet, a phone, or the remote control and snacks close at hand. Other bed tables are more like rolling tables that you can move close to or away from the bed.
A Night Light
By installing a night light or adding a motion sensor to a lamp or two, you’ll have better vision at night. Being able to see where you’re going is a sure way to reduce accidents and falls. And besides, decreasing the fear of an accident will prevent you from thinking obsessively about falling and thereby help you to fall asleep.
Don’t walk around in the dark. Read up on these products, and discover how to get a better night’s sleep.
Lisa Smalls is a freelance writer from North Carolina. After taking care of her grandmother in her old age, she has become passionate about educating on sleep health in seniors.
