Sleep-related issues affect many older adults and can greatly impact their overall wellness and health. Difficulties staying or falling asleep can be caused by many reasons such as stress, sleep pattern changes, medications, depressions, or other conditions. Studies have shown that sleeping difficulties are linked to obesity, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. It can also cause your loved one to have lapses in memory, mood, and concentration. Daytime sleepiness related to insomnia may also heighten the risk of falling or other accidents. So, let’s look at some natural sleep remedies for loved ones!
Creating an Ideal Sleep Environment
Caregivers can help to create an ideal sleep environment for your loved ones by turning off tech devices, drawing the curtains, or adjusting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature.
Should your loved ones wake up in the middle of the night, a personal care assistant can also attend to their needs without disruptions to ensure that they can go back to sleep as soon as possible.
Sleep Schedules
Sleep routines are important to the well-being and health of older adults, especially if they are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. A regular sleep schedule can prevent insomnia. A trained in-home caregiver can also help to ensure that your family member wakes up and sleeps at the same time every day.
A qualified in-home caregiver can help to make sure your loved ones avoid excessive napping during the daytime, which can sabotage their sleeping schedules at night. They can also encourage them to give up on other habits that affect their quality of sleep such as consuming caffeinated beverages.
Schedule Medical Examinations
Regardless of the underlying cause for your loved one’s sleep concerns, it is important to attend to the problem quickly. If your family member is facing difficulties falling asleep, schedule an appointment with his or her doctor to further discuss the issue. If necessary, a medical examination may even reveal a treatable, underlying cause like pain, depression, or restless legs syndrome.
Exercising Regularly
Engaging in physical activities can help your loved ones improve their sleep quantity and quality. A quick walk around the neighborhood, gardening, or yoga each week can be enough to help them rest at night.
However, exercising right before bedtime can have the opposite effect since exercising causes an increase in energy-boosting endorphins and body temperature, keeping them awake. Some experts recommend exercising regularly in the morning to promote optimal sleep.
A qualified caregiver can also monitor your loved one’s physical activity level to ensure they receive the appropriate type of exercise regimen at the right time.
Senior Living Programs at Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg
There are many natural sleep remedies your loved ones can do to make them sleep better at night to promote their well-being and health. This is especially important for those staying alone as they have to keep fit in order to take care of themselves. If you are concerned for your loved ones staying in isolation, Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg provides a multitude of senior living options your loved ones can live in and be cared for by our health professionals, without taking away their independence. Contact Rittenhouse Village At Muhlenberg to learn more about our living programs today!
