Overview
Sleep Well, Live Well, Age Well forms part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar, a coordinated program of national public education presented by The Sleep Society to improve sleep health awareness across Canada.
Living longer is not simply about adding years to life; it is about maintaining health, independence, cognitive function and quality of life throughout those years. Healthy sleep is increasingly recognized as an important part of healthy aging, supporting brain health, cardiovascular and metabolic health, immune function, emotional wellbeing and physical recovery.
Sleep patterns naturally change as we age, but persistent poor sleep should not automatically be accepted as an inevitable consequence of getting older. Sleep disorders, medical conditions, medications, pain, lifestyle and changes in circadian rhythms can all affect sleep in later life.
By encouraging Canadians to recognize healthy sleep as part of healthy aging, this initiative aims to promote better health today while supporting wellbeing, independence and longevity throughout later life.
Why it matters
Canada’s population is aging, making healthy aging one of the country’s most important long-term health challenges. As people live longer, maintaining physical health, cognitive function, independence and quality of life becomes increasingly important for individuals, families, communities and the healthcare system.
Healthy sleep contributes to many of the biological processes that help maintain health throughout life. Persistent insufficient or disrupted sleep and untreated sleep disorders are associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disease, depression, impaired cognitive function and other adverse health outcomes.
Sleep disorders also remain common in later life. Insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and circadian rhythm changes may disrupt sleep, while pain, chronic illness, medications and other health conditions can further compound the problem.
Healthy sleep cannot guarantee a longer life, but recognizing and addressing sleep problems is an important and sometimes overlooked component of maintaining health, function and quality of life as we age.
Background
Sleep Well, Live Well, Age Well is observed throughout December as part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar. The initiative promotes greater public understanding of the relationship between sleep, healthy aging and longevity, while encouraging Canadians to consider sleep as an important part of lifelong health.
Ageing does bring changes in sleep. Sleep may become lighter and more fragmented, sleep timing may change, and older adults may experience more frequent awakenings. However, aging itself does not mean that poor sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness or an untreated sleep disorder should simply be accepted.
At the same time, research continues to investigate the complex relationships between sleep and cardiovascular health, metabolic health, cognitive decline, dementia, immune function and longevity. While many of these relationships are still being studied, there is strong reason to include healthy sleep alongside physical activity, nutrition, social connection and appropriate healthcare when considering healthy aging.
The objective is straightforward: not merely to live longer, but wherever possible to live healthier for longer.
Current activities
The Sleep Society and SleepSafeCanada are currently working to:
- Promote public understanding of the importance of healthy sleep throughout later life.
- Increase awareness that persistent sleep problems should not automatically be regarded as a normal or unavoidable consequence of aging.
- Encourage earlier recognition and appropriate assessment of sleep disorders affecting older adults.
- Promote greater understanding of the developing evidence linking sleep with brain health, cardiovascular and metabolic health, physical function, healthy aging and longevity.
- Develop educational resources for the public, healthcare professionals, families, caregivers and community organizations.
- Support annual awareness activities throughout December as part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar.
- Encourage collaboration with healthcare organizations, universities, seniors’ organizations, governments, researchers and community groups.
- Build partnerships and national support to promote healthy sleep as an important component of healthy aging across Canada.
Resources
Access articles, fact sheets, videos, posters and downloadable resources relating to healthy sleep, healthy aging, longevity and sleep disorders affecting people throughout later life.
Media centre
Access news, media releases, campaign updates and other information relating to Sleep Well, Live Well, Age Well.
On this page
Want to get involved?
Help raise awareness of the initiative by sharing information, encouraging healthy sleep throughout life and challenging the assumption that persistent poor sleep is simply an inevitable part of getting older.
October initiative
Part of Canada’s Sleep Calendar, a year-round program of public education and awareness.
Who’s involved
Endorsers, partners, supporters and sponsors
Organizations and individuals helping Look Good Feel Younger reach Canadians. Use the filters to view each type of involvement.
Endorsers
We welcome the endorsement of governments, healthcare organizations, universities, professional associations, seniors’ organizations and community organizations that support the aims of this initiative and greater recognition of healthy sleep as part of healthy aging.
Partners
We collaborate with organizations that actively support the development, delivery and promotion of this initiative through education, research, collaboration and public engagement.
Supporters
We gratefully acknowledge organizations, businesses and individuals who support the aims of this initiative and help raise awareness within their communities and networks.
Sponsors
We gratefully recognize organizations whose financial or in-kind support helps make this initiative possible and extends its reach across Canada.
Would your organization like to be involved? Find out how →
More from SleepSafe
SleepSafeCanada
SleepSafeCanada
SleepSafeCanada promotes public awareness of the importance of healthy sleep through Canada’s Sleep Calendar, national education campaigns, community engagement and public health initiatives that encourage healthier, safer and more productive lives.
Canada’s interdisciplinary sleep health community
The Sleep Society
The Sleep Society brings together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, organizations and industry to advance sleep health through collaboration, education and research. Visitors can explore professional education, connect with Canada’s growing interdisciplinary sleep health community and locate healthcare professionals with an interest in sleep health.
Trusted information
A Better Sleep
For additional public information, articles and downloadable resources relating to this initiative, please visit abettersleep.net. The site provides trusted, evidence-based information to help people better understand healthy sleep, sleep disorders and the lifelong importance of healthy sleep.
Strategic Technology Partner
Web Hosting Canada
The Sleep Society has selected Web Hosting Canada as its Strategic Technology Partner, supporting the continued development, delivery and national growth of this initiative while helping build the digital infrastructure needed to support future collaboration across Canada.
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