Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep

Due to much research on the subject, we now know it is not only important to get a good night’s sleep but it is essential to our overall good health and wellbeing.  Sleeping balances our active life with the time our body needs to renew and rejuvenate. However unfortunately with age comes a variety of health conditions that can interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. 

Experts explain that the elderly are more likely to “suffer from chronic insomnia characterized by difficulty maintaining sleep than difficulty initiating sleep.”  Suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and sleep apnea are more frequently seen in older adults and can result in poor sleep patterns.  We also know that bright sunlight helps to regulate melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) and sleep-wake cycles, and many elderly people do not spend enough time out-of-doors. 

Not getting an adequate amount of sleep each night can impact vitality and resilience that seniors need to age better.  In fact insomnia is associated with poor health and mortality. Lack of sleep can also increase older adults’ risk of a fall, and some studies suggest a history of sleep deprivation can increase the risk of cognitive problems.  Routinely napping during the day is another problem that interferes with a good night’s sleep. 

Tips for getting a better night’s sleep include avoiding eating and working late.  Experts say to turn off the TV and other smart devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime as the blue light emitted from electronics prevents the body from releasing melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep.  Follow a set bedtime, and right before you plan to go to sleep do some deep breathing and light stretching. It is recommended we try to get eight to nine hours of sleep on most nights.  

As one of the newest senior living communities in the greater Portland area (we are scheduled to open late this year), MorningStar of Happy Valley will offer 61 assisted living suites and 27 secure suites for memory care.  Our residents will have 24/7 care along with a wide assortment of resort-style amenities and enrichment programs and activities.   Our onsite Information Center is open seven days a week. Please visit our website for details.

MorningStar of Happy Valley represents the finest in senior living with our distinct mission statement: “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we are honored to create a true “home” for residents.  Opening late this year, we look forward to being one of the area’s best senior living communities. 

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2516307/