Tips to Deal with Daylight Savings Time for Seniors

The time is upon us where our clocks are now an hour forward and the sun is out later. Twice a year, Daylight Savings Time occurs on the second Sunday of March  and the first Sunday of November. These two changes affect us, especially seniors and take some time to adjust to. Around 40% of seniors deal with some sort of memory loss after the age of 65, so dealing with these shifts in time can be difficult for some.

In order to transition through these time changes as smoothly as possible, here’s some tips on how seniors can deal with Daylight Savings Time.

Keep to Your Regular Times

Seniors shouldn’t change their times to adjust to the new times. Everything is the same, the clock is just showing a different number. Make sure seniors are taking their medications at the same time they always do. Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at their normal times will also help their body continue to adapt.

Sleep Schedule

It’s also important to try and stay on the sleep schedule seniors were already on before the time change. Going to bed and waking up at the hours you normally do will keep your internal cycle on track. Taking naps during the day should be avoided so seniors can be tired later on in the evening and keep on their daily nighttime routine. It’s normal to experience some grogginess for a few days after the change, but it’s something that won’t last for more than a few days.

Enjoy the Natural Light

With the days lasting longer and the sun not setting until past 7 p.m., there’s more time for seniors to get outside and enjoy the sunlight. Natural light helps the body produce melatonin, which is a hormone in your body that helps you sleep. Seniors can easily take a relaxing walk around the park or sit outside on the porch and soak in the sun. This also allows their body to “catch up” to the time change.

Prepare Ahead of Time

Leading up to DST, preparing for the time change can allow for a smoother transition and less problems to worry about. seniors should plan to go to bed 15 to 30 minutes towards what the new time change would be. Everything else can be adjusted after, but sleep is the most important factor so there won’t be a drastic difference.

Taking Care of our Seniors at Encore

At Encore Avalon Park, we want our residents to be a part of a happy, healthy environment. In addition to comfortable accommodations and delicious meals, our senior living community offers a full schedule of recreational and social activities for our senior residents, many of which are perfectly accessible for seniors in wheelchairs to enjoy.

Find out more about what makes Encore at Avalon Park the premier senior living community in the Central Florida area by calling 407-270-7500 and scheduling a tour.