Adverse Effects on Daylight Saving Time on Seniors’ Health
Older people are vulnerable to adverse health condition due to variation in sleeping time. This condition is more critical among senior citizens suffering from chronic illnesses. The biggest challenge in sleep difficulties among the elderly is the loss of sleep during daylight saving time (Botek, 2020). A shift in daylight saving time can adversely affect an individual wellbeing in a variety of ways. The first impact of a change in daylight saving time is an interruption in the sleeping patterns. Little alterations in this time affect the sleeping rhythms and adversely affects mental functioning. These challenges heighten among senior citizens exposing them to a range of health repercussions (Botek, 2020). During the March time change, the chances of heart attack rise exponentially. A study carried out by Karolionska Institute in Sweden revealed that the rate of the heartbeat increases by approximately five percent within the period of the march time change (Botek, 2020). According to the study, the risk of heart attack drops significantly in the fall when clocks resume their normal functioning.
Daylight saving correlates positively with car crash incidents. Previous observations have proved that more accidents take place on the Monday morning after the spring forward change in time. Sleep disruptions following daylight saving time can lead to drowsiness and impede ones ability to make decisions quickly (Ries, 2020). A Canadian researcher has proved that as many as 17 accidents take place the Monday after the phenomenon (Botek, 2020). Although there is no practical explanation for this occurrence, many scholars believe that sleepy drivers occasion the increase. Especially those rushing to work.