Bed Wetting: Elderly

As We Get Older

No matter your age, sleeping well is essential to your physical health and emotional well-being. A good night’s sleep can improve concentration and memory. For seniors, sleep is especially important as it allows your body to repair any cell damage and supports your immune system which needs to be in good condition to fight off any colds or flu.

Seniors that don’t sleep well can suffer from depression, excessive daytime sleepiness, attention and memory problems. Insufficient sleep during your senior years can lead to serious health problems such as night-time falls and increased sensitivity to pain.

A sensitive subject such as elderly incontinence affects sufferers and carers alike, and sometimes leads to shame and loss of self-esteem. Incontinence doesn’t discriminate. While sufferers can be of any age, the majority are over the age of sixty.

If an incontinence accident does happen, it is important to clean up the bed as soon as possible. Urine or fecal matter that is left on the bed after an episode can not only lead to unpleasant smells, but is also unsanitary and can damage the condition of your mattress.

A BedGuard mattress offers elderly people, those in care and family members the healthiest and most sanitary mattress to ensure unsurpassed comfort for a perfect night’s sleep. BedGuard offers unrivalled peace of mind and dignity to all.

Tackling sleep deprivation

Seniors generally suffer sleep deprivation due to daytime sleeping. Here are some helpful tips:

     Create a suitable environment

Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark, and clean. Blockout blinds and fresh crisp sheets help contribute to a good night's sleep.

     Preparation of the mind and body

Stretching and light Yoga followed by a hot bath before bed will help to improve circulation and make you feel relaxed and sleepy. If you’re someone who struggles sleeping in total silence then consider some gentle background music or meditation.

     Introduce evening walks

If you get to bed and start feeling restless then perhaps you need to find a way to burn out some more energy before bed. Try introducing evening walks to your routine. Not only will this give you some last-minute exercise each day, but a light walk can help you wind down and relax before going to bed.

     Medications

Are you on any new medications or have been taking medications that could be affecting your sleep? Talk to your doctor about your struggles, as sometimes medication might be what is keeping you awake at night. In some cases, you may need to be prescribed an alternative medication that won’t interfere with your sleep.

     Stay mentally active

Keep your mind ticking over and chances are you will be mentally alert during the day and be craving restful sleep at night.

      Time your naps

If you enjoy a daytime nap, try to keep it to a maximum of 20-minutes at a time. Set an alarm and try to nap somewhere that is not your bed. The power nap will revive you without feeling drowsy.

     Restrict caffeine

Limit beverages containing caffeine after 2pm. Food and beverages such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate may make it harder to stay asleep. 

Guardian Opulence Range

BedGuard has designed its Opulence Range with seniors in mind.

It has premium construction and foams incorporated with BedGuard treatment to provide discreet protection. The comfort of the double-sided pillowtop is unsurpassed while also offering the ultimate protection against leaks, spills and stains.

Things to Consider When Selecting Your Guardian Opulence Mattress

Don’t know what size bed you should get?

Statistics state that a person can move 30 to 70 times per night. If you sleep light, or with a partner, then a Queen or King size bed would be recommended to comfortably accommodate each of you, such as our Guardian Opulence Mattress.