Have you ever laid in bed listening to someone snore so loudly you thought the roof might shake? I sure have—my dad’s snoring was legendary when I was a kid. Back then, we didn’t know that his thunderous snores were a telltale sign of sleep apnea. Now we understand that sleep apnea, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is more than just a noisy nuisance. It’s a serious condition that can quietly lead to heart issues—and potentially much more.

Sleep apnea doesn’t just disrupt sleep; it may also be linked to long-term neurological consequences. According to a recent study from the VA Portland Health Care System, led by Gregory D. Scott, MD, PhD, individuals with OSA may face a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Interestingly, the study also suggests that using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy early on might reduce this risk. Dr. Scott shared that while the increased risk is concerning, early intervention with CPAP offers hope, adding that more studies are needed to track patients over time.

Think about your own senior living community—how many residents currently use CPAP machines? How many might benefit from being screened for OSA? These machines may not win any beauty contests, and they can cause discomfort like runny noses or facial marks from the tubing. Still, considering the potential to reduce the risk of such a devastating disease, those minor annoyances seem like a small tradeoff.

It’s worth discussing with your healthcare partners whether more proactive OSA screening could help your residents. After all, if something as manageable as CPAP use might improve long-term health outcomes, it’s a conversation well worth having.

Stay well and stay informed!