Seniors

Maintaining Adequate Sleep: Why It’s Crucial as You Get Older

Sleep is vital at all ages, but what is the amount of sleep for older individuals?

Amount of Sleep For Older Individuals

Individuals 65 and older are still recommended to get the same amount of sleep as younger adults. (National Council on Aging, 2023) As the body ages, it still needs around 7–9 hours of sleep, but how an individual sleeps is what changes. Older individuals begin to sleep lighter, and their sleep is broken up, causing them to wake up more at night. This can be due to natural changes in the internal body clock, medications, health conditions like arthritis or sleep apnea, or a combination. Older adults often face sleep barriers that are less common in younger individuals, like disabilities and chronic illnesses, and nearly half of adults aged 75 and above have a disability. Aging also shifts the circadian rhythm, causing older individuals to fall asleep and wake up earlier. Melatonin begins to decline with age, starting in the 30s, which can affect body temperature regulation and disrupt the sleep-wake cycle. (Hood S. & Amir S. 2017)

Healthy Sleep and Healthy Aging

Research found that older individuals who sleep poorly have an increased risk of:

As the body ages, a consistent, healthy amount of sleep prepares you for all the ups and downs. Healthy sleep maintains:

  • Overall health
  • Mental health
  • Mood
  • Memory
  • Improves cognitive function
  • Enhances emotional resilience
  • Supports heart health
  • Increases immune system function
  • Keeps energy levels steady.

Well-rested individuals are less likely to have falls or accidents because their focus and coordination are optimal.

Sleeping Healthier as You Age

Maintaining healthy sleep hygiene and being more mindful of routines will improve sleep patterns. This includes:

  • Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
  • Avoiding long naps during the day.
  • Monitoring nutrition and physical activity levels.
  • Creating a calming bedtime routine like meditation and reading.
  • Keeping the bedroom dark, cool, and quiet.
  • Reducing caffeine or alcohol, especially in the evening, can affect sleep patterns.

Sleep aids can help for short periods and should be combined with cognitive behavioral therapy and used with caution in the long term to prevent possible dependency. Medications can help by addressing health issues that impact sleep, like pain, depression, or anxiety. However, some medicines can have side effects that alter or worsen sleep patterns.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Therefore, older individuals still need 7–9 hours of sleep every night to maintain and enhance mental, physical, and emotional well-being, reducing risks associated with aging. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, and prevent injury. Regarding musculoskeletal pain, specialists like chiropractors, acupuncturists, and massage therapists can help mitigate the pain through spinal adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal issues.


Enhancing Health


References

National Council on Aging. (2023). How Sleep Impacts the Top Age-Related Health Concerns. www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/chronic-conditions-and-sleep/

Hood, S., & Amir, S. (2017). The aging clock: circadian rhythms and later life. The Journal of clinical investigation, 127(2), 437–446. doi.org/10.1172/JCI90328

Stone, K. L., & Xiao, Q. (2018). Impact of Poor Sleep on Physical and Mental Health in Older Women. Sleep medicine clinics, 13(3), 457–465. doi.org/10.1016/j.jsmc.2018.04.012

Professional Scope of Practice *

Related Post

The information herein on "Maintaining Adequate Sleep: Why It's Crucial as You Get Older" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr Alex Jimenez

Welcome-Bienvenido's to our blog. We focus on treating severe spinal disabilities and injuries. We also treat Sciatica, Neck and Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, health, fitness, and structural conditioning. We use Individualized Diet Plans, Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Adapted Cross-Fit Protocols, and the "PUSH System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. If you would like to learn more about a Doctor of Chiropractic who uses advanced progressive techniques to facilitate complete physical health, please connect with me. We focus on simplicity to help restore mobility and recovery. I'd love to see you. Connect!

Published by

Recent Posts

Relieve Pregnancy Discomfort with a Massage Gun

Stress on the lower back during pregnancy often leads to back (upper, middle, lower), sciatica,… Read More

Melatonin: Your Natural Sleep Solution

Can melatonin help many individuals dealing with sleep issues and help them stay asleep longer… Read More

Kettlebell Training at Any Age: Improving Strength and Balance

For older individuals looking for a workout that can help improve overall fitness, can kettlebell… Read More

The Importance of Choosing the Right Pillow for Neck Pain

Can choosing the right pillow help many individuals with neck pain get a full night's… Read More

Choosing the Right Back Pain Mattress: What Experts Say

What is the recommended way to choose a mattress for individuals with back pain?  … Read More

How to Reduce Piriformis Syndrome with Non-Surgical Methods

Can non-surgical treatments help individuals with piriformis syndrome reduce referred sciatica pain and help restore… Read More