By Jennifer Hildebrandt

Daylight Savings Time (DST) has always been a controversial subject, with debates ranging from its usefulness in energy conservation to its effects on human health. Though there are arguments to be made for and against DST on all sides, what can’t be argued is the impact the biannual change has on one group in particular: senior citizens.

Elderly citizens are particularly affected by the twice-a-year change to and from Daylight Savings Time. For this reason, it’s crucial for both professional caregivers (such as those with Suzy’s Senior Companionship Services) and loved ones to understand how this shift in time affects the health and well-being of aging family and friends, and to know ways to help the transition go as smoothly as possible.

DST’s main adverse effect on a body is the disruption it causes to its internal clock, which is often referring to as the circadian rhythm. While such disruptions can be hard on anyone they are especially challenging for the elderly because their circadian rhythms are already fragile due to age-related issues.

Sharon Roth Maguire, M.S., RN, GNP-BC, stated, “Even small changes in sleep patterns can have significant consequences for senior health.”

Disruption of sleep patterns can cascade into a plethora of adverse consequences to aging loved ones which go far beyond a simple increase in fatigue. Research shows that seniors are more prone to irritability and erratic behavior after the change to Daylight Savings Time, probably partly due to a loss of sleep but perhaps also caused by a general decline in overall health. Heart attacks spike more than 5% following the changes in time, both in the spring and in the fall. Many seniors also have difficulty concentrating during this transition, which can lead to an increase in accidents (especially behind the wheel) as well as a noticeable loss of mental acuity in other areas.

Changes to sleep patterns and an increase in accidents are not the only areas that can be adversely affected by the switch to DST. Many senior citizens’ lives are structured around time-sensitive routines. Aging citizens often need to maintain eating schedules, for example. Eating later or earlier than normal can have a negative impact on blood sugar levels. Medications is another area of concern in many seniors lives that is regulated by the clock. This is especially true for those seniors that access their medications via electronic medical reminders.

There are some things that seniors and their loved ones can do to help offset the negative aspects of the switch to Daylight Savings Time however. Keeping the same routine—including bedtimes and wake up times—that existed before the change can help the body’s internal clock to recover more quickly. This includes not napping during the day if that is not already a part of the daily schedule.

Staying busy and getting natural sunlight is another way to help circadian rhythms catch up to the new clock. A bonus to being active and outdoors is that such activities often have a positive effect on mental health and can help fight depression, two things that can also be a struggle during this time of year for the elderly. Focusing on the coming spring and warmer days ahead can be a great way for seniors to get through the immediate weeks following a return to Daylight Savings Time.

Whether your aging loved one is struggling with the clock springing forward one hour this year or if they have handled the change well, understanding the possible effects of DST on seniors is a great way to help keep possible adverse reactions at bay while staying connected to aging loved ones this time of year.