While the winter may not be officially over, Daylight Savings Time is here. And when it’s time to “spring forward” the time change can be very difficult for seniors to deal with. Seniors rely on routine to stay healthy, especially when it comes to sleep. Millions of seniors struggle with insomnia and sleep disorders and changing the time can wreak havoc on their sleep schedules. Studies show that seniors aren’t alone in having difficulty switching their internal clocks. For almost all age groups the changing of the clock each fall and each spring brings increased risks of weight gain, fatigue, stress, and other health concerns. There are some things that seniors can do to make the transition to Daylight Savings Time easier though like:
Start Going To Bed Earlier Before The Time Changes
One of the best ways to prepare to make the change to Daylight Savings Time is to start going to bed earlier before the time changes. That way seniors can start gradually making the transition to an early bed time and getting their bodies and minds adjusted to the time change before it happens. Seniors can start this process by going to bed 10 or minutes earlier than usual, then 20 minutes earlier, and then 30 minutes earlier, until they have changed their bedtime to be an hour earlier that it was before. That way when the clocks change seniors have already established their new earlier bedtime and adjusted to it.
Take Naps During The Day
If it’s not possible to slowly change their bedtime or seniors are still struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep they should get at least one nap during the day to compensate for that lost sleep. Taking a nap is a great way for seniors to get the benefits of deep sleep and have the restorative rest and relaxation that they need to stay healthy. And everyone loves a good nap, so why not take advantage of having a great excuse to take one?
Rely on Home Care Assistance
Home care assistance is a big help to seniors throughout the year, but especially during tough transitions like changing the clocks. With home care assistance sleepy seniors will have household help to make sure that the chores get done. They also will have someone in the house to help them get to bed safely and adjust to the new time schedule. Home care assistance has many benefits for seniors.
Cut Down On Caffeine
Seniors shouldn’t be having a lot of caffeine anyway if they have sleep problems normally, but cutting back a little on caffeinated beverages like coffee or black tea can help seniors adjust more easily to Daylight Savings Time. Seniors should stop drinking all caffeine after about 4 P.M. so that it doesn’t make it harder for seniors to fall asleep when it’s time to go to bed. And be wary of eating chocolate after dinner or before bed because some types of chocolate, like dark chocolate, can have caffeine in it.
If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Lakewood, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY Home Care of Parker. 303-953-9924
