Both men and women need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Too little sleep impacts mental and physical health. Too much sleep regularly is also believed to impact your health.
As you age, the body doesn’t go into the cycles of sleep as easily as it did years ago. If you find your mom and dad are having a harder time sleeping, it’s time to help them.
Start by talking to their doctor. Insomnia or excessive sleep can be a sign of a health issue like depression or sleep apnea. If that’s ruled out, weighted blankets can help your mom and dad get a good night’s sleep. Here’s how they work.
What Are Weighted Blankets?
Weighted blankets are blankets that are filled with polypropylene (plastic) pellets, steel shot beads, glass beads, and pebbles. The weight of them is key. The belief is that the weight presses against the body’s pressure points and provides comfort from tension.
What Do the Studies Show?
Several studies have been performed over the years to see if the weighted blankets really do work the same as acupressure. In a 2008 study of 33 men and women, more than half did report feeling more relaxed. A third of the participants also had lower levels of emotional stress as measured by the amount of sweat naturally occurring on the skin.
A 2012 study of patients in a psychiatric home found that many of the patients said they felt less anxious and stressed when they were under the blanket. A 2016 study published in the Journal of the Formosan Medical Association found that people who curled up under a weighted blanket during a tooth extraction did have lower signs of stress.
How Do You Choose a Blanket?
Ask your parents what type of filling they prefer. Some people worry about plastic beads and prefer steel or glass. Others worry about the glass beads breaking. Plastic and steel beads are durable and not going to break.
Check how you wash the blanket. Some blankets are not washable. Others are. You also want to see how durable the seams are. If the seams are not stitched well, you could end up with beads leaking out.
Have You and Your Family Considered Elderly Care to Help With Sleep?
Are your parents bored in the afternoon and use naps as a way to pass time? It can interrupt their natural sleep patterns. Ask an elderly care agency about the services offered in their area. If your parents have caregivers around for companionship, they may skip that nap.
Elderly care aides can also keep your parents from drinking too much after dinner or having too many alcoholic beverages, which also affects a night’s sleep. Call to learn more.
Sources:
https://www.livescience.com/59315-weighted-blankets-faq.html
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Red Lodge, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
