Caring for older adults can be a challenging task, and many family caregivers don’t get enough sleep. Without a good night’s rest, you may be too tired, foggy, and irritable to take care of your senior loved one. Consider taking the following steps to get a good night’s rest.
Reduce Your Loved One’s Nighttime Discomfort
If your loved one is constantly waking you up in the middle of the night, try to think about what could be causing the issue. Consider talking to the doctor about altering your loved one’s medications or checking for health issues.
At home, make sure your loved one’s mattress is as comfortable as possible, and consider providing disposable underwear to prevent accidents. For your loved one’s peace of mind, provide a walkie-talkie or another way to call out to you in the event he or she needs anything.
Providing care to an aging adult can be difficult, especially when you’re sleep-deprived. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality homecare services, Assisting Hands Home Care Orlando can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to helping seniors live longer and healthier lives.
Sleep When Your Loved One Does
Many caregivers resist changing their sleep schedules because they don’t feel like going to bed early. Sleeping at the same time as your parent could be worth it. Even if you aren’t used to going to sleep early, you may find that over time, it becomes second nature.
De-Stress Before Sleeping
Many caregivers have difficulty sleeping because they’re stressed, which means they need to find ways to relax. Instead of overloading the brain with information from television shows, social media, or games, give meditation a try.
Those who don’t appreciate traditional meditation may enjoy knitting and other activities that help them relax. Even doing these things a few hours before bed can reduce stress right before going to sleep.
Get Help from a Professional Caregiver
Some seniors require around-the-clock care, and doing it all yourself simply isn’t feasible. If your loved one’s needs during the day and night are so severe that you cannot sleep, you may need to ask family members for help or hire a respite caregiver. Having someone to care for your loved one for a few hours each night could make a huge difference.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Orlando families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation.
Practice Good Sleep Habits
Both you and your loved one can benefit from practicing habits that enhance sleep. Good sleep hygiene includes going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, not sleeping in a room with a lot of artificial light, limiting naps and time spent in bed while awake, and not having caffeine six hours before bed.
Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Orlando at-home care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. If you need compassionate professional care for your loved one, call one of our friendly Care Specialists today.
