Are You and Your Seniors Losing Sleep? Don't! 

By Jeremy Grant
Owner of Home Instead Brantford

As children, many of us fought nap time. As adults, we relish any extra time we get to rest. We now understand that sleep is a good thing—or make that an “essential” good thing! It gives the body time to wind down and recuperate from a long day. It also helps reduce stress and improve moods, increase clearer thinking, and enhance decision-making skills. Getting the right amount and type of sleep can help you and your aging adult parent stay well, remain at a healthy weight, and lower the risk of serious health problems. With all the pressing reasons to get quality sleep at night, why do so many people struggle with it?

Stress can be a significant factor preventing adults from obtaining the sleep they need. As a caregiver providing elder care for your parents, you understand how stress affects you. When you need rest from your duties, schedule a personal support worker to come in and provide respite care. Our PSWs understand the needs of seniors and their families. Not only can they give you a break, but they can also offer companionship to Mom and cook nutritious meals for Dad. During this time, you can give yourself some much-deserved TLC or catch up on life’s myriad responsibilities.

Resources and Tips to Stop Losing Sleep

Sleep deprivation can be harmful to the human body. Yet, many factors can prevent you or your loved one from getting the needed sleep. When the right resources are available, you have just what you need to make changes for better health and sleep habits. A home care professional is just one tool in your tool bag. Others include recognizing why Mom may not be sleeping as well as she could, finding resources to help with sleep disorders, and learning to get better sleep as a caregiver.

March 19 is World Sleep Day

In 2008, the first World Sleep Day was held. This team of dedicated professionals and researchers wanted to educate others on the importance of quality sleep. The goal was to bring together sleep healthcare providers to discuss and share their insights regarding sleep information. World Sleep Day will be held the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, on March 19, 2023.

We all need to get better sleep, including senior adults. Some issues arise for the elderly, making falling and staying asleep difficult. Your loved one may suffer from problems such as:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Less time spent in the deeper stages of sleep
• Medical ailments, including restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic diseases
• Arthritis pain
• Frequent trips to the bathroom

Every year, World Sleep Day aims to raise global awareness of sleep deprivation in modern society and celebrate the benefits of getting regular, quality sleep. You can provide your senior with assistance to enhance their quality of life through a personal support worker. These caring individuals help ensure that patients have what they need to sleep better. For example, they aid seniors with cooking nutritious meals and taking medications on time. Both factors support better health in your aging parent. Having trained help available increases your ability to assist your mom or dad in gaining a better quality of life.

Learn How to Establish Healthier Habits for Better Sleep

Resources from the Canadian Sleep Society to Help Your Seniors

Getting enough sleep as an elderly adult can be challenging. Your loved one may need additional assistance to ensure they can fall asleep and rest comfortably throughout the night. The Canadian Sleep Society has resources that may help, including:

• Research: The field of sleep medicine is regularly evolving and changing. Your loved one (or yourself) could participate in a research study.
• Sleep Information: They offer resources, including books and podcasts, that may aid you in better understanding what is happening to your aging loved one.
• Useful Links: They also list sleep-related medical organizations to help you find professional help in Canada.
• Newsletters: Read some articles or sign up for their newsletters to learn about sleep patterns.

Better sleep helps the body recover from the daily grind, and releases stress. Sometimes, you need some help getting the rest you need because of your caregiver duties. A home care worker alleviates that burden so you can sleep like a baby, knowing your parent is well-cared for. Educating yourself is an excellent step for helping your mom or dad and can be beneficial for you and your family.

Here some Common Reasons Seniors Suffer from Sleep Issues

Better Sleep, Better Care - Tips to Help Caregivers Sleep Better

As a caregiver, you have many additional responsibilities, which add stress to your already busy schedule. It is common for caregivers to neglect their health, including getting sufficient sleep, to assist their family and parents. To be the best daughter or son for your loved one, you need to get plenty of rest, too. Some simple ways to gain better sleep include:

• Setting a bedtime routine. You don’t have to make it complicated, but a simple practice that helps you unwind and tells your body it is time to rest will help you sleep better. You might read a book, take a warm bath, or listen to soft music.
• Tucking the devices away. Screen time ought to be limited before you head to bed. Staring at a screen can delay melatonin release in your body, stopping you from falling asleep.
• Avoiding daytime naps. You may be tired at certain times during the day, but it is better to avoid taking a nap. It can affect your night time sleep.

Handling the needs of elderly parents, in addition to your immediate family and career, can be rewarding. It can also be overwhelming. When you seek out the services of a professional caregiver, you have someone you can depend on.

Find here some Suggestions to Get the Sleep You Need.

Better Sleep Starts with a Quality Elder Care Giver

Sleep better at night knowing you have support, and your aging loved one is well-cared for. The team from Home Instead Brantford provides services to ensure your mom or dad can continue living independently for as long as possible. We step in by helping with medication reminders, cooking for seniors, offering bathing assistance, light housekeeping, companionship, and more. That’s just the beginning. We tailor services to meet the needs of your senior. Don’t let another night of restless sleep go by. Contact us today.

Call us at (519) 752-4663 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver daily to families in Brantford, Paris, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Dunnville, Port Dover, Woodstock, Caledonia, Cayuga, Fisherville, Simcoe, Waterford, Turkey Point, Port Rowan and Burford.