Trinity Elder Law - March 2022

Trinity Elder Law - March 2022

Peace of Mind Post

MARCH 2022

WE COULD ALL SLEEP BETTER

CONFESSIONS FROM A NAPPER WHO CAN’T GO TO BED EARLY

However, it would behoove me to improve my sleep patterns. As someone who works with aging populations and helps families plan for future care, I’ve learned just how valuable sleep can be to aging. I’d like to share a few of those benefits in honor of Sleep Awareness Week this March. For starters, a good night’s rest sets you up for the next day. In the simplest terms, it improves your mood, memory, and balance. In 2021, Harvard Medical School released a report that found quality sleep can also reduce your risk of developing dementia. Researchers discovered that those who slept less than 5 hours every night were twice as likely to have the ailment than those who slept for six hours or more. Another study with more participants found a 30% increase in those who slept for six hours or less each night.

I will always advocate for the power of a good nap. I take one almost every day after lunch. They usually last about 20 minutes, but there are days when I snooze longer than that. Doing so really does help me throughout the day! It helps me refocus my energy on the tasks ahead for that afternoon. I wish I had treasured those naps we were forced to take in kindergarten instead of refusing to sleep. (The National Sleep Foundation encourages naps, too!) Despite my affinity for naps, I’ll admit I’m not the best sleeper. There are plenty of nights when I fall asleep on the couch or don’t go

my poor bedtime habits, I have found a few tricks that readily work, and experts seem to agree. It’s best to create an environment that is conducive to sleep. Do something relaxing before bedtime, like solving a puzzle or reading, and keep your room at a comfortable temperature. (The cooler, the better!) Exercise, avoiding caffeine late in the day, and establishing a regular schedule can also be helpful habits to try. For those whose family members have dementia, it’s beneficial to keep walkways and floors clear at night, lock up medications, and secure dangerous areas, like the top of a staircase. As always, consult with a medical professional if you believe you have a sleep disorder or if a dementia diagnosis is impacting your sleep. But no matter how you try to improve this March, I hope you do spend a few moments examining the ways in which you can sleep better. Your body and your mind will thank you.

My four- legged family members have also mastered

the art of napping!

Perhaps I should listen to these researchers!

What’s more, the Harvard study cited that it has long been known that those with dementia struggle with restful, full nights of sleep. They may already have an underlying sleep disorder, like sleep apnea, and dementia can inhibit a person’s ability to sleep well. This can result in yelling, confusion, wandering, and injury if caregivers are not properly prepared.

to bed until 11 p.m. This makes waking up at 3:30 a.m. much more difficult, but I really would prefer to be up that early. I’m the only morning person in my house, and I enjoy the quiet of a morning. I love watching the sun come up. I always say I would prefer the Dolly Parton schedule — bed by 9 p.m. and waking up by 4 a.m. I just have to get the “going to bed” part down!

And for what it’s worth, try a nap!

Sleep can be a vital part of the aging process, but it can also be a difficult one. Despite

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Good ‘Luck

5 WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANNOYING ROBOCALLS

2 STORIES TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD THIS ST. PATRICK’S DAY Whether you clutch a rabbit’s foot or toss salt over your shoulder, everyone knows it can’t hurt to have a little luck. But as the following stories show, good luck isn’t found in the charms we carry or the superstitions we believe; sometimes, good luck comes from our actions. Reunited With ‘a Friend’ — and Dozens of Others In 1960, newlyweds Bill and Wilhelmina Zandbelt left their life in the Netherlands to immigrate to Canada, leaving behind family, memories, and Bill’s beloved 1950s DKW motorcycle. Bill tried to trace his bike’s ownership for a number of years before losing track of the one thing he desperately had wanted to bring to his new Canadian home. It finally arrived in 2020. After hunting down Bill’s original DKW motorcycle and spending countless hours on restoration with an expert, Bill’s son, Vince Zandbelt, gifted his father the “friend” he “left behind” for Bill’s 90th birthday and his 60th anniversary with Wilhelmina. Sadly, Wilhelmina had passed just three weeks prior, making the occasion that much more emotional for Bill.

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITYAND KICK SCAMMERS TO THE CURB According to the latest >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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