ANCSLEEP BLOG

Reasons Why Your Elderly Family Members Sleep So Much

Posted by Darian Dozier on Jan 5, 2024 8:36:00 PM

Do you ever visit your elderly grandparents, aunt or uncle, or even parent, and wonder why they're sleeping so much? If you work around older individuals in any capacity, you may realize that sleeping a lot is more common than not. As individuals get older, they are more likely to spend more of their days sleeping. The aging process can be pretty brutal on the body and can easily fatigue one out. Also, elderly individuals experience a decline in their quality of night time sleep. This increases their amount of excessive daytime sleepiness, encouraging them to take more naps during the day to make up that sleep that they're losing. Sometimes they can't really get comfortable because of their aches and pains that they experience. They may have to get up and go to the restroom multiple times because that is also just another part of aging. There are just some of the reasons that elderly individuals struggle to get sleep, therefore they make up what they're missing during the day. This means that they are taking multiple naps, doze off as soon as they sit down, or going to bed really early.

As an onlooker you may be worried if this is too much sleeping. However, if you're elderly loved one seems to be sleeping more during the day, it may or may not be cause for concern. A visit to the doctor may help you uncover some sort of underlying health problem that makes them extra tired. Continue reading learning some common issues that seniors may face that causes them to sleep all day.

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Signs You're Getting Enough Sleep

Posted by Darian Dozier on Sep 28, 2022 6:03:00 PM

A lot of our content focuses on what not getting enough sleep looks like, which is important because a majority of people do not. However, it's also important to know what the signs are if you are getting enough sleep because you probably are practicing some positive habits that you should aim to maintain.

Below, we are going to discuss signs that you're getting enough sleep, and if you recognize them, then continue doing what you're doing (if it's healthy). If you do not have any, or many, of the signs below, then you may need to make some adjustments to improve your sleep. 

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Underlying Sleep Disorders in Older Adults

Posted by Darian Dozier on Sep 21, 2022 5:23:00 PM

Older adults commonly have sleep troubles, mostly due to physiological changes that can interrupt normal sleep patterns, but sometimes due to underlying disorders that can manifest into insomnia. It's important to identify these underlying disorders for accurate treatment. Sleep aids can have detrimental effects in elderly adults, so if they can be avoided through accurate diagnoses, then that will be better for their health. 

Below are some common underlying disorders that can negatively affect health. If you think one of these impacts you or a loved one, then it's important to speak with your primary care physician immediately. 

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Risks of Sleep Aids for Older Adults

Posted by Darian Dozier on Sep 7, 2022 6:54:00 AM

It is no secret that older individuals may struggle more with insomnia than any other group. This is due to a variety of physiological changes that make it harder to get a good night's sleep. 

For most insomniacs, the best solution is a pharmaceutical intervention. However, for older adults, sleeping pills may not be the best first-line solution. This is due to the fact that sleeping pills have more adverse reactions and increased risks for older adults, than they do for other populations. Continue reading for more information on how sleep aids affect older adults. 

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The Worst Sleep Habit Causing You to Feel Older

Posted by Darian Dozier on Feb 18, 2022 12:15:00 PM

Everyday, we get a little bit older. However, just because the clock is ticking at a certain rate, doesn't mean that we have to match it. Of course there isn't much we can do about the fact that we're getting older, however, there are some things we can do to prevent feeling older. Here is the worst sleep habit causing you to feel older!

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How Your Circadian Rhythm Changes with Age

Posted by Darian Dozier on Dec 10, 2021 8:00:00 AM

Our circadian rhythm is our internal clock that helps our bodies regulate a pattern of sleep and wakefulness. It is in charge of the normal time frame that you get sleepy and wake up from your slumber. However, as we age, our circadian rhythm may change, and we may experience disrupted sleep. Keep reading to find out why, and what you can do to better manage your internal clock.

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Age and Changes in Sleep: What Normal and What's Not

Posted by Tyler Britton on May 9, 2021 12:02:00 PM

How Sleep Changes as We Age

Changes in your sleep patterns are a normal part of aging. In general, people tend to have a less satisfaction and more trouble with sleep than when they were younger. As a result, an extremely common misconception about sleep is that we need less sleep as we get older. 

In actuality, our need for sleep remains constant throughout life. It's also no coincidence that many older Americans report being less satisfied with and restored by sleep. For these reasons, it's not uncommon for our sleep habits to change as we age. Have you been craving a nap in the afternoon more and more as you get older? Has your wake up time moved back earlier and earlier over the years? If you are answering yes to these questions, it's likely age-related sleeping changes.

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Topics: Aging and Sleep

Age and Changes in Sleep: What Normal and What's Not

Posted by Tyler Britton on Feb 27, 2019 10:04:38 PM

How Sleep Changes as We Age

Changes in your sleep patterns are a normal part of aging. In general, people tend to have a less satisfaction and more trouble with sleep than when they were younger - this includes both falling asleep and staying asleep [National Sleep Foundation]. As a result, an extremely common misconception about sleep is that we need less sleep as we get older. You may have heard such from your grandparents or even wondered about it yourself.
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Topics: Aging and Sleep

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