NCM 114
CARE OF THE OLDER ADULT
EMELIE JALANDONI TAN, RN., DNS
B. PLANNING of Health Promotion, Health
Maintenance, and Home Health Considerations
• As people live longer and the percentage of older
adults in the population increases, society faces
several major challenges.
• One of the most significant of these challenges
involves meeting the health care needs of the aging
population.
• Today’s older adults are generally healthier than
were the older adults of previous generations.
• Improvements in sanitation, public health, and
occupational safety implemented during the
twentieth century have helped raise the age at which
a person can expect to experience a life-threatening
disease.
• Older adults can and do experience acute, life-
threatening medical conditions just as younger
persons do, but acute episodes in older adults are
more likely to be associated with chronic
conditions.
• Either an acute condition is caused by a chronic
problem, or a chronic problem persists after an
acute episode
• It is estimated that 80% of older adults live with
chronic conditions such as arthritis, hypertension,
diabetes, heart disease, and vision or hearing
disorders.
• Most of those with a chronic illness are able to
meet their own needs;
• Both acute health care and chronic health care are
expensive.
• Most studies reveal that it is more cost-effective to
prevent problems than it is to attempt to cure or
treat them.
• Therefore, more health care providers and the
public (including older adults) are beginning to
recognize the need to devote more attention to
health promotion and health maintenance.
• Health promotion is not a new concept. For
decades, health care providers have stressed the
importance of good nutrition, exercise, and regular
medical care.
• Although most of this information was directed
toward younger people, many older people who
desired to live longer, healthier lives also paid
attention.
• As the benefits of healthy lifestyle choices became
obvious, television, radio, andother media joined
health care providers in promoting health
awareness.
• Awareness of the importance of good health-
maintenance practices increased.
• Many individuals have modified their lifestyle and
health care practices to improve their overall health
and quality of life.
• Those who are unaware or are unwilling to heed
this advice persist in risky, health-threatening
behavior.
• Nurses need to be aware of the health promotion
and maintenance practices that will most benefit
older adults.
• Nurses also need to understand why some older
adults choose to adopt positive health behaviors,
whereas others persist in seemingly self-destructive
behavior
Advice for the Young and Not-So-Young Adult
• Accept that you are getting older—adjust to the
changes, and plan for possibilities.
• Explore options for the future—look for things
you want to accomplish in your life.
• Find work or creative outlets that make you happy
—look for ways to grow throughout your life.
• Modify your lifestyle to promote health—exercise,
watch your diet, and
manage stress.
• Develop and maintain relationships—bonds
formed with friends and loved ones provide support
as we age; we can never have to
Recommended health practices for older adults
• DIET
• Older adults should consume a well-balanced diet
based on the food pyramid and recommended daily
allowances of nutrients.
• EXERCISE
• Regular exercise should be a part of any daily plan
for older adults .
• Exercise should consist of 30 minutes of
continuous activity.
• Exercise can help keep the joints flexible,
maintain muscle mass, control blood glucose levels
and weight, and promote a sense of well-being.
• Exercise does not need to be aerobic to benefit
older adults.
􀀀 Walking
􀀀 swimming
􀀀 golfing
􀀀 housekeeping
􀀀 and active lawn work or gardening are all
considered exercise.
• TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL
• It is never too late to stop smoking. Even the body
of an older person can repair damage once smoking
is discontinued.
• Cessation may be difficult when smoking has been
a long-standing habit, but various aids are now
available to help smokers quit.
Physical Examinations and Preventive Overall
Care
• Older adults should be examined at least once a
year by their physicians—more often if known
health problems exist.
• Some older adults resist this because of the cost or
fear about what the physician may find.
• Physical examinations in older adults should
include evaluations of the ff.
􀀀 height
􀀀 weight
􀀀 blood pressure
􀀀 blood cholesterol levels if this has been a concern
􀀀 as well as a rectal examination
• In addition, women should have the ff:
􀀀 a pelvic examination,
􀀀 mammogram, and
􀀀 Papanicolaou (Pap) test to rule out cervical
cancer.
• Older men need a prostate examination and blood
tests to rule out prostate cancer.
• Persons with identified risk factors for colon
cancer require occult blood screening and, possibly,
a colonoscopy.
• In addition to regular physical examinations, older
adults should be sure to obtain immunization
against diseases, such as pneumonia and influenza
which are more common in older adult.
• Because immune system is less responsive in the
older adult, it is important that they receive
vaccination in a timely manner.
• Pneumococcal vaccine: there are two
pneumococcal vaccines. Healthy adults are
recommended to receive each of these two vaccines
after 65 years of age,
at least 1 year apart.
• Influenza (flu) vaccine: the influenza vaccine must
be obtained on a yearly basis.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccines. Protects
against contagious and deadly disease
- Given once
• Shingles (zoster)vaccine : risk for developing
shingles, a herpes zoster infection
• One time vaccination is recommended for people
over 60 years of age.
Dental Examinations and
Preventive Oral Care
• Dental examinations should be obtained and an
inspection of the oral cavity performed on a regular
basis (at least once a year).
• Today’s older adults are keeping their natural
teeth longer than previous generation
Maintaining Healthy Attitudes
• Strong connections exist between the mind and
body.
• Older adults who maintain a positive outlook on
life tend to follow good health practices and remain
healthier longer.
Factors that affect health
promotion and maintenance
• The actions taken to promote, maintain, or
improve health are based on that individual’s
perception of his or her health.
• Health perceptions influence day-to-day choices
regarding hygiene practices; nutrition; exercise; use
of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco; accessing health
care; and many other activities.
• Health-maintenance practices include safety
precautions taken to prevent injury from automobile
accidents, falls, poisoning, and other hazards.
Religious Beliefs
• Religious beliefs contribute to an individual’s
perceptions.
• These beliefs can promote health maintenance or
interfere with good health practices and result in
increased health risks.
Cultural Beliefs
• Cultural beliefs and practices also play a
significant role in health perception and health
maintenance.
• Culture also plays a significant role in the
selection of food and the methods used for food
preparation.
• These preferences and practices play a significant
role in health promotion and maintenance.
Knowledge and Motivation
• Knowledge plays a role a key role in maintaining
health and promoting safety.
• Knowledge of recommended health practices is
essential to make good choices.
• Health and safety teaching must start early and be
reinforced throughout life.
Mobility
• People with limited physical mobility,
transportation, or money are like to experience
difficulty.
• A person who knows the importance of nutritious
food but who cannot get to a store or afford the food
will have difficulty maintaining good health.
• Many adaptive and assistive devices have been
developed to promote safe mobility for people
experiencing difficulty moving about or performing
many of the activities of daily living
Perceptions of Aging
• Many beliefs about health and health maintenance
are formed early in life.
• Perception of good health and good health
practices vary widely among the aging population.
• Perceptions regarding aging greatlyaffects a
person’s motivation and willingness to participate in
health maintenance activities.
Impact of Cognitive and Sensory changes
• Cognitive and sensory changes related to aging or
disease can lead to problems with health
maintenance.
• An older person with changes in vision and smell
may have body odor or wear soiled clothing,
because they cannot see or smell soiling.
• Older adults who are seriously impaired either
perceptually or cognitively commonly lack
awareness of their own needs.
• Cognitively impaired older adults are at serious
risk for injury because they are unable to recognize
the danger of their actions or inactions.
Impact of Changes Related to Accessibility
• Older adults are likely to experience more
problems accessing goods and services than are
younger people.
• Physical limitations, including loss of motor skills,
decreased strength and endurance, and the presence
of disease, make health maintenance activities more
difficult.
• Transportation difficulties present many problems
for older adults. Simply getting to the grocery store,
pharmacy, or physician’s office when necessary can
be a major impediment to health maintenance.
• Finances cannot be ignored when discussing
health maintenance.
• Finances can also affect safety.
1. Planning for Successful Aging
What IS “successful aging?”
One prominent model of successful aging,
developed in the 1990s (Rowe and Kahn), proposed
that it means:
• freedom from disease and disability
• high cognitive and physical functioning
• active engagement with life
• Successful aging includes concern for continued
friendships, positive interpersonal relationships,
satisfaction with spouses, children and family life,
and social responsibility in the form of volunteer
work and civic involvement.
• From: Evidence-Based Counseling and
Psychotherapy
STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL AGING
a. Adopt and maintain healthy habits and
positive lifestyles:
• Avoid cigarette smoking
• Have no more than one alcoholic beverage in a 24
hour period
• Exercise regularly, maintaining the triad of weight
bearing, aerobic, and balance activities
• Maintain a comfortable weight
• Get regular medical checkups
b. Maintain intellectual stimulation and
socialization
• Pursue hobbies and interests with passion,
particularly those such as dancing that are social
• Strengthen family relationships
• Resolve intergenerational conflicts
• Engage in adult educational activities to challenge
your mind
c. Be wise in financial planning:
• Plan in advance for retirement
• Carefully manage investments and assets
• Assure adequate insurance coverage
• Decide on your future living arrangements
4. Work to maintain dignity and good health in
old age:
• Choose a physician knowledgeable in the medical
care of older adults.
• Choose a health care system that facilitates
appointments and care for elders.
• Communicate your goals of care to your family
and physician.
• Express your advance directives in writing.
2. Home Care and Hospice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff5xnda51cY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SLfJ8gdtd9Q&t=158s
Home Care
- health care services delivered in the comfort of
your own home. Nurses, aides and volunteers
visit the patient in the home to help treat an
illness, injury or chronic condition.
Examples of skilled home health services
include:
• Wound care for pressure sores or surgical wounds
• Patient and caregiver education
• Intravenous or nutrition therapy
• Injections
• Monitoring of serious illness and unstable health
status
• Physical rehabilitation
• Speech therapy
• Dietary assistance
• Monitoring of blood pressure, temperature, heart
rate and breathing
• Supervising of prescription and other drugs
• Pain management
• Safety management in the home
• Education about self-care
• Care coordination and communication
Hospice Care
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=QJLyQmtpbHs&t=430s
• Hospice care is designed to provide pain
management, symptom control, psychosocial
support, and spiritual care to patients and their
families when the illness cannot be cured.
• The focus with hospice is caring, not curing. It can
take place in the patient’s home, a nursing home or
in a hospice care facility.
• Many people assume hospice is only called in the
final moments of life.
• That’s because it is meant to provide the best
quality of life possible for patients whose prognosis
leads doctors to believe they will not live past six
months.
• They are often in pain, particular with end-stage
diseases like cancer, in addition to the discomfort
brought about by previous treatments like
chemotherapy.
• While hospice is thought of as solely a last option
for the dying, patients sometimes improve and can
be discharged from hospice.

3. Community-Based services
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FWOUcGrmfUM
• community-based services refers to having high
quality services accessible to families in the least
restrictive setting possible.
• A community-based system of care requires
systems to see the home, school, and neighborhood
of the family from an asset perspective.
• This also identifies the natural supports in these
familiar surroundings as part of a strengths-based
approach.
• Provision of assistance, including escort, to a
person who has difficulties (physical or cognitive)
using regular vehicular transportation.
􀀀 Respite
- Service designed to provide temporary care to a
participant requiring personal care assistance so
that his or her at-home care giver (usually a
family member) can have a break. Respite can
be provided in the home, long term care facility
or a day care facility.
􀀀 Recreation
- Service designed to promote health and social
well-being by providing activities for social
interaction and development of the participant in
a group setting.
􀀀 Hospice
- This category refers to family and home-
oriented palliative care which focuses on
emotional and psychological support for an
understanding of the 60+ incurable disease
victims. This care includes pharmaceutical
services, bereavement counseling, volunteer
visits, training and visits by social workers,
counselors and ancillary medical personnel.
􀀀 Personal Care Worker
- Assists the client with bathing, shampooing and
drying hair, dressing and dental hygiene. A free
initial assessment is included to determine the
client’s needs and appropriateness for services.
􀀀 Benefits Counseling
- This service helps the elderly in determining
their eligibility for income maintenance or
public assistance, assists in processing or filling
out forms such as insurance, and teaches about
local, state and federal tax benefits or credits.
4. Assisted Living
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXz1r93zYCI
• Assisted living is a residential option for older
adults who want or need help with some of the
activities of daily living—
• things like:
􀀀 cooking meals,
􀀀 getting to the bathroom in the middle of the
night,
􀀀 keeping house, and
􀀀 traveling to appointments.
• An assisted living facility may be a good choice if
you need more personal care services than you can
get at home or in an independent living retirement
community, but you don’t need the round-the-clock
medical care and supervision of a nursing home.
• An assisted living facility may be a good choice if
you need more personal care services than you can
get at home or in an independent living retirement
community, but you don’t need the round-the-clock
medical care and supervision of a nursing home.
Other common names for assisted living
• Residential care
• Board and care
• Congregate care
• Adult care home
• Adult group home
• Alternative care facility
• Sheltered housing
• Extra-care housing
Services at a typical assisted living facility
include:
• Three meals a day served in a common
dining area
• Assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, going to
the bathroom, and walking
• Housekeeping services
• Emergency call systems in each resident’s living
space
• Exercise and wellness programs
• Medication management
• Laundry services
• Transportation
• Access to health and medical services
• Round-the-clock security
• Social and recreational activities
• Staff available to help with scheduled needs, as
well as unexpected issues
Signs that an older adult might need assisted
living
• The refrigerator is empty or filled with spoiled
food or your loved one is losing weight. These may
be signs that they aren’t eating well because
shopping or cooking is difficult.
• You notice frequent bruises, although your loved
one may try to cover them up. This may be a sign of
falling, or mobility and balance problems.
• Your loved one wears the same clothes over
and over again or neglects their personal hygiene.
This can indicate that doing laundry and bathing is
physically challenging.
• The house and yard isn’t as clean and tidy as it
used to be.
• Your loved one seems depressed. Depression is
common in seniors who are isolated and alone.
• Your loved one seems depressed. Depression is
common in seniors who are isolated and alone.
• You notice strange or inappropriate behavior.
For example, your loved one may dress
inappropriately for the weather. This can be a sign
that they are experiencing confusion.
Choosing an assisted living facility
- What to look for in the staff:
• Do they have time to speak with you or does it
feel rushed?
• Do they appear genuinely friendly and interested
in you?
• Do they interact warmly with current residents?
Or do they seem stressed or overwhelmed?
• How do they handle emergencies?
- What to look for in the residents:
• Do they appear happy?
• Do they enjoy interacting with one another?
• Do they seem like people you’d enjoy getting to
know?
• Are there hobbies or groups on site that look
interesting to you?
- What to look for in the facility:
• Do the different areas seem clean and fresh?
• How often is housekeeping provided for your
room?
• Does the facility seem safe and secure? Are the
bathrooms easily accessible and have grab bars?
How do residents contact staff in an emergency?
• How is the food? Sample a meal and ask about
menu options.
5. Special Care Units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz_BeodDEIs
• A special care unit (SCU) is an inpatient unit
within a healthcare facility that is custom-designed,
staffed, and equipped to care for people with
specific health conditions. They are usually in a
physically separate space from other patient
populations.
People who need specific types of care may be
put in special care units.
Types of units
• Intensive care units (ICUs)
- are for people who are seriously ill. These
people include those who have had a sudden,
general malfunction (failure) of an organ, such
as the liver, lungs (requiring assistance with
breathing), or kidneys (requiring dialysis).
• Coronary care units
- are for people who are having or have had a
heart attack or who have abnormal heart
rhythms (arrhythmia), heart failure, or another
severe heart problem.
Examples of SCU
include:
• Memory/cognitive care for people with
Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia;
offer a safe, secured environment, as well as
specialized therapeutic programs for those who
have memory issues.
• Neurological care for those who have Parkinson’s
or Huntington’s disease or who have suffered a
stroke; care services may include physical, speech,
occupational, and swallowing therapies.
• Orthopedic rehabilitation for people who have
undergone orthopedic surgery; include specialized
rehabilitation equipment and treatment by
experienced rehabilitation professionals.
• Cardiac/pulmonary care for those with heart or
lung issues; patients may receive specialized
services like exercise therapy, smoking cessation
programs, and education on lifestyle modification.
• Hospice care for people approaching the end of
life; provide a compassionate environment focused
on physical and emotional comfort for the patient,
as well as their loved ones.
•Geriatric care Units
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYzca5TSzio
C. IMPLEMENTATION
1.Physical Care of Older adults
• The body gradually changes over time as we age.
• These changes are expected and usually depend on
family patterns of aging or lifestyle choices made
throughout the lifespan.
• Changes that are a result of a pre-existing medical
condition are not considered to be a part of healthy
aging.
• Most of the time, normal age-related changes on
the physical level include the following:
♦ Aging skin and Mucous Membrane
􀀀 Changes in the skin are the most visible signs of
aging.
􀀀 Since it serves as a barrier from the external
environment, skin protects us and keeps our internal
organs intact.
􀀀 However, environmental factors, nutrition and
genetic makeup cause the skin to sag and lose
elasticity as we age.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN SKIN, HAIR
AND NAILS
􀀀 Through time, the outer layer of called the
epidermis thins and the pigment-containing cells
called melanocytes decrease.
􀀀 This makes aging skin look pale, clear and thin.
􀀀 Large pigmented spots may appear on areas
exposed to the sun and the skin’s elasticity will be
reduced, making it leathery and saggy.
􀀀 Bruising, bleeding and cherry angiomas are also
common among older adults because of fragile
blood vessels.
􀀀 Even a simple blow to the skin can tear or bruise
it.
􀀀 Older adults are advised to be extra careful in
their everyday tasks, especially when dealing with
heavy objects.
􀀀 The skin has several layers, each with various
functions.
􀀀 The sebaceous glands that produce oil for skin
moisture gradually decrease, usually beginning after
a woman’s menopause and for men over the age of
45-50.
􀀀 Dryness and itchiness are very common, resulting
in a greater susceptibility to different skin disorders.
􀀀 The subcutaneous fat layers will become thinner
over time.
􀀀 This increases the risk of skin injury because of
less insulation and padding that subcutaneous fat
provides.
EFFECTS OF AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN
THE SKIN, HAIR, AND NAILS
􀀀 Skin injury is common among older adults, along
with thinning hair and nails. 􀀀 Since the protective
fat layer gradually lessens and becomes more
fragile, every wrong move an individual makes can
significantly affect his/her integumentary system.
􀀀 Other than skin tears, bruising and bleeding, hair
loss is apparent, and nails tend to become brittle. It
is very common to see older adults who are bald
and have broken nails.
􀀀 Other than skin tears, bruising and bleeding, hair
loss is apparent, and nails tend to become brittle.
􀀀 It is very common to see older adults who are
bald and have broken nails.
􀀀 Consequently, rubbing or pulling the skin, hair
and nails can cause minor injuries to older adults
􀀀 Since aging skin repairs slowly, pressure sores
are common among the disabled or those with a
sedentary lifestyle.
􀀀 Because these changes can affect the sense of
touch, vibration, pressure, heat, and cold, it is no
wonder that the elderly experience various skin
problems throughout their later years.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN ORAL MUCUS
MEMBRANES
􀀀 As an individual ages, several body functions
start to decline.
􀀀 Cellular reproduction, blood microcirculation,
metabolic rate and tissue repair all tend to slow
down.
􀀀 These essential life processes can affect different
parts of the body including the oral mucus
membranes. As for the oral soft tissue, the
epithelium, mucosa, and submucosa thin.
􀀀 Taste bud function declines as does the size and
number of sebaceous glands on the cheeks.
􀀀 Furthermore, foliate papillae and lingual varices
increase.
􀀀 These are the main reasons why nutritional
deficiencies among the elderly are so common.
􀀀 a decrease in salivary flow is not purely the result
of aging.
􀀀 However, certain medications can affect salivary
output, leading to digestive upsets, poor retention of
dentures and the diminished ability to chew.
􀀀 The dryness of the mucosa makes it more
susceptible to frictional irritation from dentures.
􀀀 Most elderly have a toothless mucosa that is
frequently thin and blanches quickly.
􀀀 This is a reflection of a systemic disease, a
nutritional disturbance or a side effect of a
maintenance medication.
􀀀 the tooth enamel of an elderly person becomes
less permeable over time.
􀀀 Although older adults, teeth become brittle, and
the rate of the secondary dentine formation still
continues at a slower rate.
􀀀 Tooth wear is a normal age-related phenomenon,
often caused by parafunction, erosion or abrasion,
mostly gastric, dietary or environmental factors.
SYSTEMIC EFFECTS OF AGING
CONCERNING ORAL MUCUS MEMBRANES
􀀀 A decline in cell-mediated response and the
number of circulating lymphocytes leads to an
increased risk of autoimmune diseases and a
decrease in the defense against infection.
􀀀 Any steroid treatment for an autoimmune disease
can complicate a dental treatment.
􀀀 Aging also involves a degenerative arterial
disease which is visible in the vessels of the oral
mucosa, making wounds heal slowly.
􀀀 A decrease of muscle tone even affects chewing
strokes and results in a longer chewing time. 􀀀
Several reports showed that this phenomenon
causes an abnormal lower jaw movement and a
resulting loss of one’s natural teeth.
􀀀 As an individual ages, several mucosal diseases
take place.
􀀀 This includes:
• oral cancer
• pemphigus
• candida or a yeast infection
• lichen planus
• herpes zoster and
• benign mucous membrane pemphigoid.
􀀀 Nutrition is often a huge factor in the occurrence
of these diseases.
􀀀 Since some older adults have decreased access to
nutritious foods, nutritional deficiency can
significantly affect the oral mucosa.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN
ELIMINATION
􀀀 Digestive and urinary disorders are the usual
health problems faced by older adults.
􀀀 Despite the fact that elderly individuals have
more time to relax and enjoy their lives, problems
with digestion tend to occur all of a sudden.
􀀀 One of the most common problems with
aging individuals is constipation.
􀀀 As people get into their 60s, bowel habits change.
􀀀 Painful and infrequent bowel movements are
associated with hard and dry stools that can lead to
hemorrhoids and other health-related concerns.
􀀀 These variations in the digestive system are
brought on by a decline in muscle contractions,
which causes the food to move more slowly through
the colon.
􀀀 When food movement slows down, waste
absorbs more water, leading to constipation and
difficulty removing waste from the bowel.
􀀀 Constipation among older adults is also caused
by daily medications.
􀀀 Anti-hypertension drugs are just some of the
drugs that can slow down bowel movement.
􀀀 Aside from this, inactivity can exacerbate
constipation, in particular in those elderly
individuals with existing medical conditions like
diverticular disease, ulcers, arthritis and many
others.
􀀀 A sedentary lifestyle can make a person feel
constipated and allows other complaints like
bloating, cramps and abdominal pain to occur.
􀀀 The best thing to do in this situation is to keep
digestion running smoothly through proper diet,
exercise, hydration and frequent visits to the doctor.
ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE
􀀀 A number of factors cause an older individual to
limit his/her physical activity.
􀀀 The most common concern in the aging is brittle
bones in both the arms and legs.
􀀀 Basically, as we reach 30, bone marrow gradually
disappears and calcium production is reduced.
􀀀 Bone marrow is the soft and spongy tissue found
inside the large bones responsible for the production
of platelets, and red and white blood cells.
􀀀 Changes in bone mass and bone marrow structure
can put an elderly at the risk for infection,
osteoporosis and other bone-related health issues.
􀀀 In fact, it can change his/her performance of
routine day-to-day activities since the bones become
frail and brittle over time.
􀀀 However, by limiting daily activities, an older
adult becomes more sedentary and experiences its
negative impact as well.
RISKS OF EXERCISE
􀀀 The risk of a cardiac emergency is high when an
older person is exercising without previous
experience and an active lifestyle.
􀀀 Some physicians believe that the elderly who
intend to start exercising at an older age should go
through an exhaustive preliminary screening such as
an exercise electrocardiogram.
􀀀 This is desirable, especially when the individual
plans to embark on strenuous competitive training.
􀀀 However, every older individual who wants to
exercise should observe certain precautions.
􀀀 The recommended dose of exercise should not
leave an elderly overwhelmingly tired because the
normal recovery process is slow.
􀀀 Some exercises like running or jogging should be
substituted with walking to minimize stress on the
knees.
AGE-RELATED CHANGES IN SLEEP AND
REST
􀀀 Sleep patterns change as we get older.
􀀀 Other than physical changes, people in their later
adulthood tend to have a difficult time falling
asleep, and they have a harder time staying asleep
as they age.
􀀀 Although research tells us that sleep does not
decline with age, several seniors are still
complaining because of changes in their sleeping
pattern.
􀀀 Sleep has multiple stages including:
• deep sleep,
• dreamless periods of light sleep
• and occasional periods of active dreaming or REM
sleep.
􀀀 This cycle is continuously repeated several times
at night, but older people spend more time in the
lighter stages than in deep sleep.
􀀀 With aging individuals, continuous sleep tends to
become harder, making them stay awake at night
and getting up early in the morning.
􀀀 Total sleep time is slightly decreased from 8-9
hours to 6.5 to 7 hours per night.
􀀀 It is also harder to fall asleep and spend more
time in bed. In fact, the transition between sleeping
and waking becomes more abrupt, making the older
people feel that they are they are sleeping lighter
than before.
􀀀 The elderly also wakes up more often at night
and spend less time in deep sleep because of
anxiety, nocturia, discomfort or pain from chronic
illnesses.
􀀀 older adults sleep lighter and wake up more often
at night, they feel sleep deprived, even if the total
sleep Difficulty in sleeping can be very annoying.
􀀀 Chronic insomnia is often the cause of depression
and auto accidents.
􀀀 Moreover, sleep deprivation can cause confusion
and other types of mental issues like restless legs
syndrome, hyper insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep
apnea.
􀀀 Older adults who experience such problems
should consult a sleep specialist before taking any
medications on their own.
􀀀 Antidepressant medicines can be helpful in
alleviating depression, and this can also relieve
sleeping problems, but they should only be taken
under the strict supervision of a licensed physician.
• This is also applicable to a mild antihistamine.
• Nevertheless, a healthy diet and regular exercises
can also have a huge impact on improving the
quality sleep for older individuals.