Snoring Remedies for Seniors

While there are several factors, including alcohol consumption, obesity, and sleeping positions that contribute to snoring, aging is one variable that we simply cannot overcome by changing our habits. A study by Janssens et al. further revealed that the “prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases with aging”. Snoring tends to increase with age, and there are a few reasons why:

• Loss of muscle tone: As we grow older, our throat and tongue muscles relax more easily (comparable to the effect that alcohol consumption has). This causes our airway to narrow during sleep.
• Weight gain: Age is positively correlated with an increase in body weight. Multiple studies have shown that neck and waist circumferences are main factors in both sexes that impact snoring.
• Medication use: Many seniors take medications. This can again introduce effects that relax the throat and thus increase the likelihood of snoring.

Of all these factors, weight gains and age-related airway muscle relaxation are among the two most significant reasons why seniors snore more than younger adults (Source: the National Sleep Foundation).

Snoring is so common and prevalent that it is often dismissed as a normal part of aging. However, it is important to highlight that it can result in serious problems if ignored:

• Heart health: The American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes that loud, chronic snoring has been linked to high blood pressure (hypertension) and can ultimately contribute to heart disease (Source).
• Cognitive decline: Poor sleep quality in seniors is associated with memory issues. That is because our brain recovers when we sleep and disrupted sleep negatively impacts that recovery process.
• Increased stroke & diabetes risk: Persistent snoring and sleep apnea increase the likelihood of metabolic and vascular problems.
• Reduced independence: Grandma and grandpa need a good night's rest to start a new day fully energized and refreshed. Disrupted sleep makes it harder to stay active and alert.

With proper intervention most people can manage or at least significantly reduce their snoring — and especially elderly patients can restore quality of life by doing so. Waking up more refreshed and alert is key for older people. There are three avenues that have proven effective:

Lifestyle Changes to Improve Snoring

Making a few adjustments to your habits can improve your sleep. These include:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Avoiding alcoholic beverages right before bedtime
• Adjusting your sleeping position by sleeping on your side instead of your back

Getting an Anti-Snoring Mouthpiece

For many seniors, an anti-snoring mouthpiece is the most practical solution. Snoring remedies like our anti-snoring mouthpiece gently reposition the jaw forward to keep the airway open. Clinical research by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine shows that these devices can reduce snoring by up to 80%.

What makes our mouthpiece unique and particularly suitable for elderly users: our patented Accu-Adjust System lets you advance the lower jaw in 1mm increments (up to 8mm). This makes it more comfortable to wear and the customized fit also means it’s more effective. Our US made device is also one of the few FDA-cleared solutions - making it one of the most senior-friendly solutions that provides snoring relief without complicated equipment.

Receiving Medical Treatments

In severe cases of snoring, medical solutions may be necessary. This includes:

• CPAP Therapy: CPAP therapy is typically prescribed for sleep apnea. The downside is that CPAP devices are bulky and uncomfortable. This can introduce a significant usage barrier for older patients.
• Surgery: Procedures exist to reduce the amount of tissue that blocks the airway. This more invasive option puts extra stress on older people and is often the last resort to treat severe cases.

We all know that older adults can be quite stubborn. Getting them to change their habits is not always easy, even if doing so is in their best interest. Older adults may also resist the idea of using a snoring device. They may be convinced that snoring is harmless and thus be unwilling to give it a try. Here are a few tricks to encourage them:

• Make it a Symbol of Care: Start with an emotional argument. Ensure that they understand that you want them to wear an anti-snoring mouthpiece because you deeply care about them. Don’t make the mistake of being too pushy. Let your parents or grandparents warm up to the idea.
• Positive Examples: Remind them how other age related products (reading glasses etc.) that they may have at first rejected (and then had come to accept) ultimately significantly improved quality of life for them.
• Retaining Independence: Old people are often resistant to change because it reminds them that they are getting old and that their physical abilities are deteriorating. The reason why they do not want to accept that change is because it limits their ability to do what they enjoy the most: playing with their grandkids, going out for a walk, etc. Highlight that an anti-snoring mouthpiece will improve the quality of their sleep, fuel their energy and thus enable them to stay more active and more independent.
• Stress ease of use: Devices like our anti-snoring mouthpiece are simple, adjustable and comfortable to wear.
• Emphasize Health Benefits: While this may sound counterintuitive: the most rational argument often works the least well. You should still give it a try. Our FDA-cleared mouthpiece is a medical grade device and the health benefits of reducing snoring are well documented.