Senior Helpers® Provides Tips for National Sleep Comfort Month

Nation's Leading In-Home Senior Care Provider Shares Insight to Promote Sleep Health in Older Adults

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Nov 02, 2017, 08:01 ET

BALTIMORE, Nov. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Sleep Comfort Month in November, Senior Helpers^®, the nation's premier provider of in-home senior care, is offering sleep tips to promote the importance of healthy sleep habits for seniors. According to a recent survey of 1,000 senior citizens ages 65+ issued by the brand, nearly 70 percent of seniors do not meet the National Sleep Foundation's sleep duration recommendation of 7-8 hours per night for older adults. The study also finds a large majority of seniors experience sleep fragmentation, with 88 percent waking up at least once per night, and nearly 30 percent waking up three times or more. Without sufficient sleep, seniors may experience a reduced quality of life including depression, difficulty concentrating, excessive sleepiness and increased risk for accidents and illness.¹

"Sleep is vital to physical, mental and emotional well-being no matter what your age; however, it's not uncommon that as people grow older, many find themselves sleeping less and having more trouble falling and staying asleep at night²," said Peter Ross, CEO and co-founder of Senior Helpers. "Getting consistent, quality sleep every night can help with immune health, depression, cognitive issues and a number of other health complications that tend to impact seniors. If you are experiencing difficulties with sleep, it is important to seek help and take measures to get the quality rest you need in order to live the happy and healthy life you deserve."

In an effort to help seniors sleep more soundly this month and beyond, Senior Helpers offers the following sleep tips:

Exercise during the day—Physical activity is recommended to improve both sleep quality and overall sleep duration.¹ Try incorporating moderate aerobic exercise into your daily routine like swimming, fast walking or even ballroom dancing, but be sure to consult with your doctor before jumping into any new exercise regimens.

Implement a pre-bed time ritual—Calming nighttime activities will help your body relax and slow down, making you better prepared for bed. Only one-third of seniors are able to fall asleep instantly, and activities such as listening to music, taking a warm bath and meditation are found helpful in expediting the unwinding process.²

Avoid afternoon naps—Sleeping in the day can make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep at night. The good news? More than half (55 percent) of seniors don't find themselves needing to nap more as they age.² If you do find yourself needing some mid-day shut eye, limit naptime to 30 minutes or less.

Drink fewer fluids at night—Bathroom breaks are the most common sleep disruptor among older adults.² Avoiding liquids a couple of hours before bedtime will limit how often you wake up to use the bathroom throughout the night.

Minimize technology use before bed—Too much light from video screens at bedtime can affect the production of melatonin, giving your body the impression you aren't ready for sleep³. The best advice is to stop watching TV or using smartphones and other screen devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime to give your brain a rest and the correct signal that it is time for sleep.

Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors who wish to remain in their homes despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers serves elderly individuals and their families around the world. Senior Helpers differentiates itself with its proprietary, specialized programs that have been developed in collaboration with leading medical experts. The company was the first provider in the industry to offer specialized care services for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia through its Senior GEMS® program. Senior Helpers added a new Parkinson's Care Program in 2016, a specialized training program for caregivers created in conjunction with leading experts from the National Parkinson Foundation's Center of Excellence.

For more information about the company, visit http://www.seniorhelpers.com. To learn more about franchising opportunities, visit http://www.seniorhelpersfranchise.com.

About Senior Helpers

Senior Helpers is a premier in-home senior care provider in the U.S. with 311 franchised businesses operating across the globe. Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors who wish to remain in their homes despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has now cared for tens of thousands of seniors with a pledge to provide "care and comfort at a moment's notice." Senior Helpers offers a wide range of personal care and companion services, including trained Alzheimer's, dementia and Parkinson's care, to assist seniors who wish to live independently. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

¹ National Sleep Foundation
² Based on a 1,000 person survey of seniors ages 65+ conducted by Senior Helpers, Sept. 2017
³ https://sleep.org/articles/ways-technology-affects-sleep/

Contact:
Lindsay Anthony
Havas Formula
(619) 234-0345
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SOURCE Senior Helpers