Homepage Tall Trees Care Communities newsroom

Can Social Interaction Decrease Insomnia in the Elderly?

Announcement posted by Tall Trees Care Communities 29 May 2014

Providers of alternative to aged care in Brisbane reveal why so few of their residents suffer from insomnia.
Australia, 29 May 2014 - For the elderly, a good night’s sleep isn’t always a sure thing. Decreased production of melatonin, which is the “sleep hormone,” can cause a natural reduction in sleep. This is natural and not always a problem or even a “condition.”

What Is Insomnia?

Many of the elderly, though, suffer from insomnia. People with insomnia have trouble going to sleep at night and seldom sleep soundly throughout the night. This disruption in sleep patterns causes fatigue during the daytime, often resulting in irritability and frequent naps during the day. Consequently, an insomnia sufferer seldom feels the full benefits of a good night’s sleep.

Causes of Insomnia in the Elderly

There are many conditions that cause insomnia in the elderly. Possibly the most common is depression and/or anxiety. Those who are depressed or anxious often have trouble falling asleep. Even if their conditions don’t cause insomnia during their younger and middle years, the reduction in melatonin can sometimes be enough to push them over the boundary into insomnia.

Depression and anxiety can be treated clinically, but for the elderly, environment can have a profound effect. Problems such as isolation and loss of mobility can produce a lot of anxiety and/or depression in anyone, but especially the elderly.

Chronic pain can also cause insomnia because the pain can be so bad that it prevents one from falling asleep or wakes them up during the night. Pain can be managed with medications, but the medications themselves can disrupt sleep patterns or diminish the quality of sleep.

One of the more dangerous causes of insomnia is sleep apnea, in which a person snores heavily and stops breathing frequently during the night. Their sleep quality is very low and they often wake up feeling like they didn’t get any sleep at all. The obese are statistically prone to apnea. Those who suspect apnea should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Other causes can range from other medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, lung or heart conditions, dementia, or medications.

Social Interaction: Chasing Away the Blues?

Phil Usher is one of the founders of Tall Trees Care Communities, an alternative to aged care in which residents own their homes, direct their own levels of care and are encouraged and empowered to be independent for as long as possible. Tall Trees Care Communities are known for the myriad opportunities they provide and encourage for social interaction between residents.

According to Mr Usher, “We don’t have a lot of depression or anxiety among our residents and we don’t have a lot who report insomnia. We believe it is because the structure of our communities provides for so many opportunities for engagement and interaction among residents. There are numerous studies which indicate that isolation and the loss of mobility and/or self-esteem produce anxiety and depression in the elderly. We try to take those causes off the table.”

Mr Usher concluded, “For those who have insomnia caused by other medical conditions, we have a world class medical staff available 24/7. Really, though, we feel our residents sleep well because they’re happy.”

Tall Trees Care Communities offer a consumer-directed alternative to aged care at their five communities in the Brisbane and Gold Coast areas. Residents own their homes and choose their own level of care. They are structured to help the elderly maintain their independence and dignity. For more information, call (07) 3442 9378 or visit their website: http://www.talltrees.net.au/.