This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Sleeping Well Into Older Adulthood

Older adults experience changes in sleeping patterns and habits that are part of normal phases of development. Changes in sleeping patterns, though, do not mean that sleep quality should diminish. Older adults require quality sleep every night in order to function at the highest level each day. According to Harvard Medical School, there are several common factors that cause sleep disturbance for older adults. Poor sleep habits and sleep environment are critical factors that influence older adults’ sleeping patterns.

Poor sleep habits are varied and dependent on the lifestyle of the individual. Falling asleep in front of the television or dozing off on the couch are two examples of poor sleep habits. To fix poor sleep habits, outline a nighttime ritual and follow it. Research suggests turning off electronics an hour before bed. Drinking non-caffeinated tea and reading a book are common activities that precede sleep. Refrain from engaging in activities in your bed that are not related to sleeping or intimacy.

Your bedroom is the environment in which you fall to sleep. Look around your bedroom and identify parts that bring around anxiety and stress. Is your bill basket on your nightstand, reminding you of the debt on your credit card? Do you have clutter stacked on your dresser? Change aspects of your bedroom that cause anxiety. Your bedroom should be a place that elicits peace and calm. If you’re not sure how to transform your sleeping environment, reach out to people who love you for advice.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

About Doolittle Home

For an affordable monthly fee, Doolittle Home of Southeastern MA, provides 24/7 nursing care, a licensed nursing unit, onsite nutrition with a registered Dietician, Physical, Occupational, Speech therapies various activities and hairdressing services.  A small resident to staff ratio ensures that your loved ones receives the best care possible.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Doolittle Home is proud of its top-notch reputation and recently received a Deficiency Free Survey from the Massachusetts Board Of Public Health.  With increasingly stringent regulations, achieving the deficiency-free rating is exceedingly difficult. These surveys, and the subsequent ratings, are a useful tool for prospective and current residents; their families and health care practitioners, to make informed choices about the quality of a long term care facility.

 It takes an entire team effort to achieve this distinguished rating.  DeAnna Willis, Executive Director with the continuous efforts of the entire staff, including activities, maintenance, housekeeping, dietary, and professional medical staff, collaborate daily to provide exceptional care, which is the hallmark of the Doolittle Experience.

Doolittle Home is located at 16 Bird Street Foxboro, MA conveniently situated on the corner of Bird and Baker Streets minutes from Foxboro Common.

Interested in scheduling a tour? Call DeAnna Willis 508-543-2694


The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?