Special supplement to The Anoka County Shopper & Blaine / Spring Lake Park Life Senior Lifestyles August 2024 | Page 3
The link between sleep and
healthy aging
too much time sleeping as well . A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that too much sleep is linked to the same health problems as too little sleep , issues that include an elevated risk for heart disease and falls . Sleep issues affecting older adults also may be a byproduct of various contributing factors . The NCOA notes that frequent contributors to sleep concerns include :
• Pain that affects the back , neck , or joints
• Mental health issues , including anxiety and depression
• Neurodegenerative disorders that are more frequent among aging populations , such as dementia and Alzheimer ’ s
• Sleep apnea or disordered breathing at night Restless leg syndrome , a condition that tends to worsen with age and is characterized by an urge to move limbs often
• Nocturia , a condition marked by a need to urinate at night
• Stimulating medications or medication interactions
• Decreased exposure to sunlight
• Sedentary lifestyle Aging men and women who are experiencing difficulty sleeping should know that such issues are treatable and not something that needs to be accepted as a normal part of growing older .
Sleep and healthy aging go hand in hand . Aging adults experiencing difficulty sleeping can consult their physicians and visit ncoa . org to learn more about overcoming sleep-related issues .
A good night ’ s rest can be just what the body needs to feel revitalized and ready to tackle a new day . Indeed , rest is important for people of all ages , including seniors . The National Council on Aging notes the brain needs sleep to regulate the body , restore energy and repair damage . Recognition of that is vital for aging men and women , some of whom may be more vulnerable to sleeping problems than they realize . In addition to being more vulnerable to age-related health problems that can interrupt their sleep , thus affecting its quality , aging men and women may find their sleep routines change over time . For example , a 2019 study published in the journal BMC Geriatrics found that active elderly people reported it took them longer to fall asleep as they got older . The NCOA says it ’ s a misconception that older adults need more sleep than younger people , noting adults of all ages require the same amount of nightly rest . However , things may change for seniors in regard to how much time they need to spend in bed . The NCOA notes this is because adults may be more likely to experience poor sleep quality and continuity . When that occurs , adults still need the recommended minimum of seven hours of nightly sleep , but they may need to spend more time in bed since it ’ s taking them longer to fall asleep . It ’ s important that aging adults recognize that they can spend
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