Pharmacological and Non Pharmacological Options in a Sleep Therapy Program

Sleep Hygiene Plan for a 65-Year Old Client
For most adults, seven to eight hours of sleep is sufficient for a good rest. This also applies to older adults aged 65 years or more. As one gets older, a change in sleeping patterns could emerge. These changes could result in insomnia whereby a person experiences trouble sleeping. Moreover, a 65-year-old could experience other changes that include waking up early in the morning, difficulties in sleeping after waking up in the middle of the night, and early tiredness in the evening. Other psychiatric and medical issues could affect nighttime sleep for adults aged 65. Nonetheless, individuals without major illnesses could enjoy a better sleep. Designing a sleep hygiene plan remains critical in addressing the changing sleep patterns in a 65-year-old person that consequently promotes overall body wellness.
Sleep Hygiene Plan
A study among adults aged 65 years and over established that 36 percent of women and 13 percent of men had to take thirty minutes before falling asleep (Yaffe et al. 2014). Possible explanations for the changing sleep patterns include secretion of less melatonin, the sleep-promoting hormone. Moreover, increased sensitivity to environmental changes such as noise could also explain these changes. Common sleep disorders that affect most people include sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, and restless legs syndrome. In this section, the paper highlights critical elements to consider in the health plan for a 65-year-old client.
i. Setting the same time of getting to bed each day throughout a week.
ii. Taking naps to a maximum of up to twenty minutes.
iii. Refraining from taking caffeine eight hours before bedtime.
iv. Use the bedroom for sleeping purposes only and refrain from watching TV, eating, or reading in bed.
v. Avoid smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol as a strategy of falling asleep. The two approaches could make it harder to fall asleep. By smoking, you could endanger yourself by falling asleep with a lit cigarette. Furthermore, cigarettes contain nicotine that acts as a stimulant.
vi. If you do not fall asleep after thirty minutes after going to bed, get up and do something quiet such as listening to music in a different room. Afterwards, you could get back to bed.
vii. Trying to keep fit and active during the day helps in getting better sleep. Forms of exercise include swimming, walking, stretching, yoga, and strength training are essential. Moreover, end your workout at least three hours before bedtime.
viii. Refraining from worrying about sleep would help. Staying relaxed and stress-free would create a good environment for sleep.
ix. Try to expose the adult to some natural light in the afternoon.
x. Creating a comfortable and safe sleeping environment would help in getting better sleep. Ascertain that all doors are locked, and each floor has smoke alarms. Moreover, the bedroom should be well ventilated, dark, and quiet.
xi. Consult a doctor for advice in case your medicines are to blame for staying awake. Such medications include cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants.
xii. See a doctor when you feel exhausted during the day, for a period exceeding two to three weeks, especially in extents where you cannot function normally.
Approaches to an Improved Health
Pharmacological Options
There are various critical in treating sleep disorders and include the following:
i. Dopamine agonists such as Parlodel and Mirapex could treat disorders such as periodic limb movement and restless legs syndrome.
ii. Melatonin receptor stimulators used to treat insomnia.
iii. Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics such as Lunesta are used in cases of short-term insomnia.
iv. Anticonvulsants including Neurontin and Lyrica used to counter restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome (Ralevski et al. 2014).
v. Orexin receptor antagonists used in regulating an individual’s sleep-wake cycle.
vi. Opiates such as methadone engaged in treating restless legs syndrome.
Nonpharmacological options
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
The approach is considered a standard method of dealing with insomnia. Cognitive-behavioral treatments include deep breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation (Ho et al. 2016). Also, maintaining a regular sleep diary investigating the quantity and quality of sleep aids in this strategy. However, patients face an uphill task in adhering to a sleep restriction therapy whereby they limit the amount of time spent in bed. Nonetheless, some sleep centers provide training, testing, and treatment that counter sleeping disorders.
Biofeedback
This approach entails being under surveillance by using an electroencephalogram. The device measures aspects such as respiratory rate, muscle tension, and temperature. Furthermore, patients receive feedback concerning various anxiety states and sleep stages. Besides, practice facilitates learning that enables patients to find it easier to fall asleep. This strategy has proven beneficial in improving total sleep time among individuals experiencing sleep disorders.
Yoga and Tai Chi
Nowadays, studies are focusing on the incorporation of yoga and Tai Chi in treating insomnia although to a lesser extent (Field et al. 2013). The exercises are beneficial in addressing sleep problems among the elderly.
Conclusion
For the elderly, sleep-wake cycle changes could occur because of health or lifestyle. Besides, the melatonin hormone plays a role in reducing the ability to catch sleep. Lifestyle habits such as drinking caffeine or alcohol and smoking could affect an individual’s sleeping patterns. As a result, it is critical to avoid the stimulants because they make it hard to for someone to fall asleep. Furthermore, it is essential to visit a doctor for advice to ascertain that your health problems are not responsible for your sleeping difficulties. An application of pharmacological and nonpharmacological options in dealing with sleep disorders remains critical in addressing these issues thereby improving health and wellness of a senior.

References
Field, T., Diego, M., Delgado, J., & Medina, L. (2013). Tai chi/yoga reduces prenatal depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Complementary therapies in clinical practice, 19(1), 6-10.
Ho, F. Y. Y., Chan, C. S., & Tang, K. N. S. (2016). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for sleep disturbances in treating posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical psychology review, 43, 90-102.
Ralevski, E., Olivera-Figueroa, L. A., & Petrakis, I. (2014). PTSD and comorbid AUD: a review of pharmacological and alternative treatment options. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 5, 25.
Yaffe, K., Falvey, C. M., & Hoang, T. (2014). Connections between sleep and cognition in older adults. The Lancet Neurology, 13(10), 1017-1028.