Inconsistent Daily Routines Lead to Better Sleep for Seniors


A new study published in the Journals of Gerontology: Series B found that sticking to a consistent daily routine could be associated with better sleep, but only in younger adults.

Participants who were 30 years old or younger who went to work and ate dinner at the same time each day slept better and woke up less at night. Conversely, older adults showed better sleep when their daily schedules were more varied. For example, seniors who ate dinner at different times slept longer at night, and men and women who worked or started activities at various times fell asleep faster.

The study included 50 individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 and 50 seniors between the ages of 60 and 95. All 100 participants kept a diary of when they did their regular activities in addition to how well they slept each night for two weeks. Researchers said the findings open doors for further research into whether older adults need more variation in their daily routines.

Senior care services can ensure that those being taken care of at home have a variety of activities to partake in during their day at different times including physical activity, meals and socialization in order to help patients sleep as best they can each night.