It's Sleep Awareness Week! Older adults need between 7 to 9 hours each night. However, many older adults don’t get adequate sleep. Some elderly people feel sick or are in pain, making it hard to sleep comfortably. Medications can also affect sleep.
Many factors can change an older person’s sleeping habits. They may sleep too much or may not get enough sleep. Without the proper amount of sleep, older people can feel irritable or depressed, experience memory problems or more falls, or have more accidents.
Older adults also need a safe and restful environment to sleep well. These tips can help them stay safe for a full night of rest:
• Have smoke alarms on each floor of the home
• Lock windows and doors that lead outside
• Keep a phone with emergency phone numbers by the bedside
• Have a lamp within close reach
• Put a glass of water next to the bed
• Don’t smoke, especially in bed
• Remove rugs and obstacles to prevent falls during the night