Coping with Chronic Pain for a Good Night’s Sleep
It’s not uncommon for seniors to have trouble sleeping, and while there can be a variety of factors that contribute to this issue that can affect the overall health and well-being of an older adult, one of the major reasons is chronic pain.
More than 50% of older adults suffer from some form of chronic pain, and for most of these individuals, this also means that a good night’s sleep is a rarity. Here are some tips for coping with chronic pain and ensuring that it doesn’t affect your ability to be well-rested during your senior years.
1. Focus on quality not quantity of sleep – while seniors may feel like they’re getting ample sleep when spending 6 or more hours in bed each night, if quality sleep is not occurring as a result of chronic pain, alternative measures should be taken. Poor quality sleep can actually increase the likelihood that seniors will feel more pain during waking hours
2. Invest in a new mattress – if the chronic pain you’re experiencing is in your back or neck, your mattress could be in part to blame. It was once thought that firm mattresses were best for the back, but when they’re too firm, they can contribute to damage. Choose a mattress that feels truly comfortable for your body
3. Look at your lifestyle – diet and exercise can both help reduce chronic pain. Focus on activities that involve stretching and relaxation to help cope
4. Investigate medications – prescriptions taken for chronic pain can cause insomnia and alter sleeping patterns. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about switching your medications
Via: Baby Boomer Knowledge Center
Home Care help for seniors and elderly in St. Louis, MO. Our office is located centrally at 7805 Clayton Road near the Galleria in Clayton. Please give us a call at (314) 863-8989.
