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As people age, they tend to experience more sleep-related problems. Furthermore, sleep issues can impact daily activities and mental well-being. This article will explain the reasons why seniors struggle with sleep and introduce sleep certifications that can help support better sleep.
A Wide Range of Sleep Concerns Among Seniors
Sleep changes with age. Specifically, people may wake up more frequently during sleep, and sleep duration tends to shorten to around 6 hours for those over 60.
The causes of these changes are varied, but age-related physical changes are one contributing factor to sleep issues.
1: Decline in Hormone Secretion Function
The secretion of sleep-related hormones decreases, leading to difficulty falling asleep and a decline in sleep quality.
2: Decline in Thermoregulation
During sleep onset, core body temperature* decreases, but a decline in thermoregulation can impede this temperature drop before and after falling asleep, leading to difficulty falling asleep and waking up in the middle of the night.
*Core body temperature refers to the temperature of the body's core, such as the brain and organs. It is distinct from skin temperature, such as in the hands and feet, which we usually refer to as body temperature.
3: Dulled Light-Sensing System
Exposure to light in the morning helps regulate the body's internal rhythm, but a decline in the brain's light-sensing function can impair the reset mechanism of the internal rhythm. Other factors such as reduced daytime activity, existing physical illnesses, and mental health conditions can also contribute to sleep problems.
Age-related changes in sleep are physiological and experienced by everyone, so there's no need to overthink them. However, minor sleep problems can sometimes lead to sleep disorders. It's important to understand age-related sleep changes, review lifestyle habits, and provide advice on improvement methods tailored to the cause of the problem.
If you are supporting family members or working in caregiving, learning about sleep is highly recommended. Among various sleep certifications, the Sleep Planner certification allows you to learn about senior sleep.
Sleep Planner: Supporting the Sleep of Those Around You
Seiji Nishino, author of "The Stanford Way to a Better Sleep," serves as the general supervisor, and you can learn about sleep from a total of 12 experts. By learning the correct mechanisms of sleep, you can understand why you can't sleep, and by understanding the cause, you can implement appropriate sleep improvements. Furthermore, a Sleep Planner can not only improve their own sleep problems but also advise others on sleep and disseminate sleep information.
What You Can Learn with the Sleep Planner Certification
You can learn about senior sleep, understanding physiological changes and mechanisms associated with aging.
For example, during sleep, waste products accumulated in the brain are actively processed and eliminated. These waste products in the brain are one of the causative substances of Alzheimer's type dementia, so adequate sleep can also help prevent dementia.
Furthermore, the chapter on sleep disorders and sleeping pills provides detailed information on sleep disorders in the elderly. Some sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (commonly known as sleep apnea syndrome), have a higher incidence in older adults. Some sleep disorders are difficult to notice or require medical treatment, so learning about sleep disorders is extremely important.
You can learn evidence-based sleep improvement methods.
For example, for those who feel sleepy during the day but have difficulty falling asleep at night, indicating a lack of clear day-night rhythm, adjusting light exposure may be recommended.
The human body's natural internal rhythm is said to be slightly longer than 24 hours, and light helps to adjust it to 24 hours. By exposing yourself to bright light in the morning at the time you want to wake up, you can switch to an alert mode. Conversely, by avoiding bright white light in the evening and spending time in warm, dim light, you can switch to a resting mode and regulate your internal rhythm.
The Sleep Planner certification is supervised by Seiji Nishino, author of "The Stanford Way to a Better Sleep," and Shintaro Chiba, director of the Ohta Sleep Medical Center at Ohta General Hospital Memorial Institute, along with a total of 12 doctors and experts. It is possible to obtain the certification entirely online, even for those busy with work or private life.
How to Apply to Daily Life and Work
The cause of discomfort in older adults might be their sleep. Having knowledge about sleep allows you to infer the cause and facilitate improvements.
Sleep problems increase the risk of diseases such as dementia and lifestyle-related illnesses, and can also lead to mental instability. By providing sleep support, you can help improve the quality of life for older adults.
Furthermore, the Sleep Planner certification offers comprehensive post-acquisition support.
Free download of materials for conducting sleep seminars and sleep evaluation tools
You can conduct sleep seminars and offer sleep consultations.
Dedicated consultation service for Sleep Planners (limited number of times within one month)
Please consult us if you have any problems related to sleep.
In addition, we provide the latest sleep information and regularly hold seminars by supervisors.
Sleep Planner Certification
This certification allows you to not only improve your own sleep but also advise others on sleep and disseminate sleep information.
