According to a study published in Frontiers, about half of older adults report having poor sleep quality. Unfortunately, sleep impairments can harm senior health, considering the body recovers and restores itself during sleep. Poor sleep quality may also contribute to inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and mental and cognitive problems.
The good news is that many strategies can help you or your older loved one get higher-quality ZZZs. One of these is setting the best AC temperature for sleeping.
In this guide, the caring team at TerraBella Little Avenue, our senior living community in Charlotte, NC, will discuss AC settings for quality sleep. Read on for sleeping temperature tips, which you can follow as early as today, for better quality ZZZs.
Older Adults’ Best AC Temperature for Sleeping
As MedlinePlus explains, the body finds it more challenging to control its temperature as it ages. One reason is that aging can lead to reduced fat below the skin, making it hard for older adults to stay warm. Aging can also impact the body’s sweat production, impairing temperature regulation.
With all those changes, it’s no wonder seniors can be less tolerant of heat and cold.
For the same reason, researchers say the ideal sleep temperature range for older adults is 68° to 77°F, per Neuroscience News. The researchers also discovered a link between higher temperature and sleep health impairments. For instance, nighttime ambient temperatures between 77°F and 86°F led to a 5% to 10 % decrease in sleep efficiency.
Achieving Optimal Sleep Temperatures in the Bedroom
If your (or your older loved one’s) bedroom is too hot or cold for comfort, you’ll likely have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Things may get even harder during Charlotte summers, when average temperatures can reach as high as 89°F in July, per Weatherspark.com. Winter can also get quite cold, especially in January, when the temperature ranges from a low of 34°F to a high of 52°F.
Luckily, you have several strategies to maintain optimal bedroom temperatures, including the following.
Test Your Ideal Sleep Temperature
While the best AC temperature for sleeping for older adults is between 68° and 77°F, it can still vary from person to person. So, conducting a temperature “trial” is a good idea to determine which range you feel most comfortable with.
Consider your previous sleep patterns when determining which temperature to set your HVAC thermostat. For instance, have you experienced waking up multiple times feeling cold or having goosebumps? If so, you’ll likely benefit from an AC setting within the higher limits of the 68° to 77°F range.
If you often experience the opposite, consider starting with the lower half of the recommended temperature range.
Take note of the temperatures you’ve set, and whether or not you still wake up feeling too hot or cold. If you do, adjust the temperature again until you find a setting that lets you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer and without interference. If you feel refreshed and well-rested the following day, you most likely have found your ideal sleep temperature.
Prep the Bedroom in Advance
Set the thermostat to your optimal sleeping temperature an hour before bedtime. Doing so in advance lets your HVAC system warm or cool your bedroom enough by the time you’re ready for sleep.
Close Bedroom Windows and Window Treatments
Opening your windows during the day can help facilitate optimal ventilation and reduce the time you need to rely on your air conditioner during summer. Come nighttime, though, you should close all of them, together with their window treatments, to:
- Avoid wasting the conditioned air from your HVAC system
- Ensure your HVAC system can heat or cool your bedroom efficiently
- Prevent outside noise and light from interrupting your sleep
During winter, keeping your windows and window treatments closed can also help prevent wintry air from entering your bedroom and making it too cold.
Consider Transitioning to a Senior Living Community
At TerraBella Little Avenue, we understand the importance of climate control for sleep, especially for older adults. As such, we’ve ensured that all the cozy, comfy, and well-appointed apartment homes in our senior living community in Charlotte, NC, have individual climate control settings. So, if you or your older loved one ever decides to move here, rest assured that you can set your bedroom temperature to any level you feel most comfortable with to help you achieve better sleep.
Moreover, we have several other perks and amenities to help you or your aging family member enjoy healthier sleep. Here are just a few of them.
Weekly Housekeeping
Keeping your home neat and organized can help you sleep better. By contrast, according to The Better Sleep Council, research has found that mess and clutter can result in anxiety and stress. The more anxious or stressed you are, the more sleep woes you may experience.
As people age, though, housekeeping and maintenance can become more troublesome, especially for those with mobility issues or who live alone. The caring team at TerraBella Little Avenue understands these limitations, so we provide weekly housekeeping and regular maintenance as part of our senior living community’s amenities. We’ll keep your apartment home neat and clutter-free to help minimize safety risks and enhance your comfort, especially at night and during sleep.
Regular Home Maintenance
At TerraBella Little Avenue, we handle our older residents’ tedious yet crucial home maintenance tasks. For example, we’ll always ensure that your HVAC system is in top condition. Our goal is to help keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, letting you sleep in comfort at night.
Follow Our Tips for Better Sleep
Remember: The best AC temperature for sleeping among older adults is between 68° and 77° F. So, try adjusting your thermostat tonight to see if this range will help you sleep better.
Moving to a beautiful and welcoming senior living community like TerraBella Little Avenue in Charlotte, NC, may also be in your or your older loved one’s best interest. Our residents enjoy access to well-furnished, comfortable apartment homes with amenities conducive to sleep, such as individual climate controls. We also prioritize their physical and mental health by giving them many ways to engage in physical, recreational, and social activities.
Call us today to learn more about our community and to schedule your visit!
