June 16, 2009

RV Company Encourages Seniors to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Pedata RV shares research that might help seniors to get uninterrupted night’s sleep. Because they want their customers to be safe on the road, sleep or lack thereof isn’t something they take lightly. Their goal is to have RVers get the most out of their travels, and live to continue exploring.

With 12.1% of the US population now aged 65 years or older, medical research on senior citizen health issues is increasing. One issue that may not at first glance appear serious is the sleeping patterns of senior citizens. But more than half of seniors aged 65 years or older are reported to have chronic sleep disturbances.

As a person ages, the lens thickens and their pupil shrinks, allowing less light to enter the eye. This lack of light can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, causing interruptions during a night’s rest. While for some, sleep deprivation may be an inconvenience, for those driving a motorhome it can pose serious risks.

The effects of sleep deprivation mimic those of alcohol. Driving reactions are delayed, and judgment becomes impaired, not to mention the potentially deadly consequences of falling asleep at the wheel. The Lighting Research Center has been studying disrupted sleep rhythms and found that blue light directed to the eye for a set amount of time may help improve sleep patterns. Wearing goggle-like devices, seniors can self-administer the light therapy, improving sleep without use of prescription drugs.

While driving an RV or any vehicle it is extremely important to be fully alert. The Lighting Research Center is currently field-testing its product, and there is optimism that a good night’s sleep is just around the corner.

For more information on Pedata RV Center or current trends in the RV industry contact Clint Ethington, General Manager, at clint (at) pedatarvcenter (dot) com or by phone at: 1-888-545-8314 or 520-807-0900. Or visit Pedata RV Center online at http://www.pedatarvcenter.com.

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