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Are you an older adult struggling with sleeping? These tips can help you with age-related sleep difficulties, overcome insomnia, and get a good night’s rest. As we age, we experience regular changes in our sleep patterns. You could become sleepy earlier in the day, wake up earlier, or feel you are not getting a good night’s rest. However, insomnia symptoms and waking up tired every day are not a normal part of aging. Sleep remains just as vital a part of your mental and physical health as you age.  

When we sleep our body has the opportunity to repair any cell damage and refresh the immune system. A good night’s sleep also helps you mentally by improving concentration and memory formation. If aging adults do not sleep well, they are likely to feel depressed and suffer from memory and attention problems, nighttime falls, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

It is essential you figure out the underlying causes of your sleep difficulties. We hope the following tips will help you overcome and identify age-related sleep issues and improve your waking life as a result.  

How much sleep do aging adults need?

According to an article on www.caring.com (a website dedicated to helping with senior care), older adults need 7-9 hours of sleep a night. However, if you wake up feeling rested, yet you slept less than the recommended hours, that is more important than the hours you sleep. Indicators you are not getting enough sleep are feeling tired during the day and waking up not feeling rested. 

Tip 1: Identify the underlying issues causing your insomnia

  • Do you struggle with chronic worrying or anxiety? 
  • Have you recently been through a traumatic experience? 
  • Do you have pain or health problems affecting your sleep? 
  • Are you under immense stress? 
  • Do you feel depressed? 
  • Are you on any medications that affect your sleep? 

If you answer yes to any of these questions, seek help from a therapist and your doctor. They understand the importance of sleep and can help you work through problems, change your medication, or advise on medical issues interrupting your sleep. 

Tip 2: Develop better sleep habits.

Naturally, boost your melatonin levels by turning off the computer or television an hour before bed and decreasing artificial lights. You could even switch to low-wattage bulbs in lamps if you can still see well with the lower lighting. 

Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. As you get older, you become more sensitive to heat and light. You can wear a sleep mask to shut out light and invest in a sound machine if complete silence bothers you. You should also make sure your bed is inviting and comfortable. Good linens, soft pillows, and a warm comforter can make a huge difference. 

Set up a bedtime routine. By practicing deep mediation and deep breathing techniques or taking a warm bath every night before bed, your body will begin to relax each evening naturally at bedtime. 

Invest in a bed rail. If you worry each night, you could fall out of bed and hurt yourself, it is hard to fall asleep. Install a bed rail to give you better peace of mind. 

Tip 3: Remember diet and exercise help improve sleep.

  • Avoid caffeine and chocolate late in the day. 
  • Do not go to bed hungry. Have a light snack before you get into bed. 
  • Decrease sugary foods from your diet. 
  • Minimize the amount of liquid you drink before sleep. About an hour before bedtime, be mindful of how much fluid you drink, so you do not wake up often to use the bathroom at night. 

We hope these tips will help you feel more rested each day. At Next Day Access, we work to help aging adults every day by offering products that help you stay safe and comfortable while living independently. If you are in need of accessibility devices such as bedrails, or mobility equipment like scooters or wheelchairs, we are the place to call. We will even come to your house for a complimentary consultation. Feel free to contact us today. 

At Next Day Access, we are proud to offer a vast assortment of products that help people with disabilities and seniors aging in place live comfortably, safely, and independently. Here are a few products we urge you to consider to help prevent you from falling in your home. 

Grab Bars

We have an assortment of grab bars and handles here at Next Day Access. Grab bars do not strictly need to be installed in the bathroom. They can be installed throughout the house. Many are choosing to install them down hallways and at a front door enclave. In fact, one of our curved security bars can be placed anywhere in the house. It stands from ceiling to floor and has a curved bar attached that enables users to pull on it when getting into a standing position. You also can lean on it when sitting back down.  

Wheelchairs and Scooters

Getting around the house once you feel you have difficulty with mobility is no trouble with a scooter or wheelchair. At Next Day Access, you will find the perfect scooter or wheelchair for you. During our free at-home consultation, we can help you decide which would work best based on your daily activities and your home configuration.

Bathroom Products

In addition to grab bars, we also offer several solutions to keep you safe in the bathroom. We have portable showers, walk-in bathtubs, and an array of shower chairs and benches. We understand most falls occur in the bathroom, so we want to ensure your bathroom is safe with our product selections.

If you are concerned that your home is not fall-proof and you want to see what products are available to keep you safe. We urge you to visit us at Next Day Access today or contact us to schedule a free in-home consultation. We will do all we can to ensure your home is safe and secure. 

When looking for a mobility device to fit your lifestyle and mobility, there are a couple of different options. Whether it’s for a permanent or temporary use, there are options to help you get around and ride independently. The most popular devices are a power wheelchair or a mobility scooter. The main difference between the two devices is the operation and mobility use. However, understanding what makes the devices unique will help you make the best decision.

Power Wheelchairs 

Power wheelchairs help people with limited strength and stamina to travel distances independently. With a simple control of the joystick, these devices are great for indoors and outdoors. They offer enhanced performance over varied terrains and outstanding maneuverability, making turning corners easy. And no worries about fitting through the halls and door frames of your home because their design makes it accessible. Power wheelchairs utilize various features and styles, such as convenient storage options, portability, or elevated seating.

Mobility Scooters 

As mentioned before, the main difference between power wheelchairs and mobility scooters is the operation. Users control the scooter with a tiller and handlebars. Unlike a power wheelchair, users use a joystick. Depending on your range of mobility will help you decide which device is best for you.

Some features scooters offer are three-wheel or four-wheel, outdoor and indoor use and speed. A three-wheel scooter typically has a sharper turning radius and more legroom. These scooters are more optimal for indoor surfaces. Four-wheel scooters are broader and better suited for outdoor use.

Work With Accessibility Experts to Help You Decide

Overall, your mobility is the deciding factor when choosing between the devices. But once you know which device, there are many different features, designs, and styles to consider before making a purchase. Next Day Access has power wheelchairs and mobility scooters available for rental or purchase. Our accessibility experts can help you choose which device will work best for your lifestyle. Contact us for a free in-home safety evaluation.

Source: https://www.pridemobility.com/

Travel regulations eased since the onset of the Covid Pandemic. Now, many people are taking advantage of the cheaper flights to Europe. Europe is a beautiful place to vacation with great history. Given the older architecture, not every place in Europe is equipped with accessibility laws in place. Which can present difficulties with navigating a wheelchair or other mobility devices. Successful traveling with a mobility device to Europe requires a lot of research and planning, but it’s worth it. Here are a few tips to consider so you can travel safely abroad. 

Accessibility laws 

The United Kingdom and Germany’s accessibility laws are similar to America with their requirements for buildings and transportation. Yet, many countries do not have these same laws. Before traveling to Europe, research which countries have requirements that help citizens with a disability.

Book hotels in advance

Many hotels have very few accessible hotel rooms, so booking hotels far in advance is ideal. When finding a hotel, try to stay in the most accessible parts of town. Look for towns that are not surrounded by hills or stairs. A good way to get an idea of the lay of the town is using Google Maps Street View.

Booking transportation online

In Europe, every training system has different boarding and booking procedures for mobility device users. Most times, you can book wheelchair spots online in advance. However, be aware that each line requires prior notification for a wheelchair reserved spot due to the low availability.

Accessible tour companies 

You can also find accessible tour companies. It is a great idea to book with a tour company, especially one that knows the ins and outs of traveling with mobility equipment. A company that specializes in accessibility tours will take you to the most convenient, smoothest, and shortest routes. It will alleviate a lot of stress when you know your accessibility needs are better met and understood. 

Lastly, enjoy your trip! You’ve done as much planning as you can, and now that’s left is exploring the European history, culture, and beautiful architecture. If you’re in need of a power chair, scooter, or other accessibility and mobility products to help you navigate through Europe, contact your local Next Day Access business.

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