Help Your Elderly Parent Get Better Sleep Beginning Tonight

We can help our elderly parents get better sleep at night!

If your aging loved-one sleeps better at night knowing a caregiver or companion is in the home, talk to us about over-night home care.

Many studies show that almost half of Americans say they don’t get the proper amount of sleep every night. In addition, these studies show that about half of those people don’t do anything to get better sleep. Did you know that lack of sleep can lead to a decline in a person’s overall physical and mental health? It can actually contribute to depression, weight gain, and so much more. This is why, as a family caregiver, you really need to do everything you can to help your elderly parent get better sleep beginning tonight. You can begin now by helping your elderly parent to implement these tips into their life. 

Replacing Their Mattress

It might be time for your elderly parent to replace their mattress. Studies show that a good, new mattress can improve comfort levels. It will also help ease back pain and offer better sleep quality. This means your elderly parent will most likely get the rest they need to stay healthier if they have a new mattress. Many experts suggest that a mattress generally has a five to seven-year lifespan. If your elderly parent’s mattress is older than that, it may be time to get them a new one. 

 

Bedroom for Only Sleep

You should encourage your elderly parent to use their bedroom only for sleep. Sometimes when a person uses their bedroom for leisure activities, like watching television and surfing the internet, their body doesn’t identify the cues that are associated with sleep. When a person uses their bedroom for only sleeping, their body will be able to understand that it is time to rest in this particular room. Just remember it does take a period of time before a body can associate that going into the bedroom means that it is time to sleep. You and the senior care providers may need to give your elderly parent time to make these adjustments. 

 

Exercising and Diet

Some studies show that a sedentary lifestyle can be the cause of many sleep issues. Exercising on a regular basis can improve a person’s sleep habits. However, it is important to remind your elderly parent that exercising close to bedtime can have a negative effect instead of a positive one when it comes to getting good sleep. The diet a person has can also affect sleep patterns. For instance, a person might find it difficult to sleep if they drink certain beverages that contain caffeine or eat spicy foods before they turn in for the night. 

 

Conclusion

Many experts say that if a person improves their sleep habits, they also improve their overall health. This is why, as a family caregiver, it is essential to help your elderly parent get better sleep. You can start doing this by sharing these tips with them today.  

If your aging loved-one sleeps better at night knowing a caregiver or companion is in the home, talk to us about over-night home care. We provide companions and non-medical home care for seniors. Affordable, caring in-home living assistance for seniors in the Piedmont area of NC. (704) 612-4132 or (336) 560-1970

 

 

Sources

https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html