Quality sleep is a life changer for Geoff

Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health

At 60 years old Geoff was a serious long-term snorer and woke each morning feeling tired and grumpy. His doctor referred him for a sleep test that showed he had chronic obstructive sleep apnoea, causing him to subconsciously wake throughout the night.

The condition, and its resulting poor quality of sleep, was not only impacting his quality of life but was placing a strain on his heart which, if untreated, could be fatal.

With support from the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health at Flinders University, Geoff was fitted with a CPAP machine, delivering constant and steady air pressure to keep his airways open at night.

‘From day one it was a life changer,’ says Geoff who now wakes refreshed and ready to tackle the world. His family, friends and work mates say he is a different person.

Geoff now realises how serious his condition was not just to himself but also to others. ‘I was doing a lot of driving at the time and was unwittingly a hazard to myself and other road users,’ says Geoff.

Geoff’s experience with the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health continued when his wife Mary was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). She became part of the Breath MND study to better manage progressive MND breathing and sleep issues. Geoff donated to the study and continues to support the work by the researchers at the Institute to this day.

Poor sleep health, including sleep apnoea and insomnia, has serious impacts on the quality of life for the individual and those around them. It is a major cause of poor work performance, as well as workplace and road accidents.

More research is needed to better understand the nature of sleep issues and how best to treat them.

‘The Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health has top class research facilities and with its expert staff, it is well placed to be a world leader in this field,’ says Geoff.

‘But continuing research requires financial support, and I urge you to make a contribution today.’

To improve sleep health throughout the community the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health at Flinders University needs your support. 100% of your tax-deductible donation will support sleep health research.

Donate today