Seniors who struggle with sleep issues generally have two issues when it comes to sleep. They may struggle to fall asleep, or they may struggle to get restful and restorative sleep. Some seniors struggle with both problems. Lack of sleep can increase the risk that seniors will have serious health problems, like strokes and heart attacks, so it’s very important that seniors are getting the best possible quality and quantity of sleep. Seniors who are having a hard time getting enough sleep or falling asleep can try these tips to get more quality sleep:
24 Hour Home Care
24 hour home care can help seniors get better sleep by eliminating the anxiety they feel at night. It’s common for seniors to feel upset, anxious, and scared at night when sleeping home alone. Seniors may worry about medical equipment like a CPAP machine malfunctioning while they sleep. Or they may worry about someone breaking into the home while they are asleep. There are all kinds of disasters that seniors may be afraid of. But when seniors have someone with them at night, those fears are calmed. Having someone there around the clock will help seniors relax, so they can get the rest they need.
Exercise Daily
Regular exercise is a fantastic tool to help seniors regulate their sleep. Just 30 minutes of walking each day can help seniors establish a regular sleeping schedule and reset their internal clock so they are tired each night. Exercise can also help seniors sleep more soundly once they fall asleep. If your senior parent isn’t getting enough exercise and struggles with insomnia, lacing up those walking shoes every day should help them get better sleep.
Have A Snack Before Bed
Many seniors aren’t getting enough to eat, and their hunger can keep them awake at night. Seniors should try having a snack about an hour before bed to help them fall asleep. But not all snacks are created equal. The snacks seniors eat before bed should contain complex carbohydrates and protein to boost a senior’s health and help them sleep. A great example of a bedtime snack for seniors is a slice of whole grain toast with peanut butter on it. Peanut butter has protein, and the complex carbs in the bread will help seniors stay full throughout the night.
Keep A Worry Journal
Seniors who struggle with anxiety and worry should try keeping a worry journal. A worry journal is just a notebook where seniors can write three pages of stream of consciousness writing at night and write out all their worries and anxieties. By getting those anxieties onto the page, they can put them away and focus on getting healthy sleep. Writing out anxieties and fears will also help seniors fight depression and anxiety disorders. Reading affirmations at night can help. So can meditation, for seniors who either like to meditate or want to try meditation.
For more information about how caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare can help your aging parents stay in their own homes, call 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
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