Most of us have had difficulties sleeping at times. Our parents’ sleep problems may worsen as they age. Their sleep habits vary, and health issues might interfere with getting a decent night’s sleep. When you start taking care of your elderly parent, you may notice they have sleeping problems that they may be unaware of.

Unfortunately, not all of us can be there for our parents at 24-7 and luckily, there are options for you. Home care assistance can help a senior develop a routine that can improve how well they sleep at night. Home care assistance will help build a care plan that reflects a senior’s habits, and this is something that you can also help with. You know your parents better than anyone else. You should get some input, but so should your elderly parent. Having a healthy sleeping habit will greatly impact your senior’s overall well-being.

Why Is Your Elderly Parent Not Sleeping?

Whether they’ve been waking up throughout the night, having difficulty falling asleep, or having horrible nightmares, there are several ways our parents’ sleep may be disrupted and its quality degraded.

Physical causes include arthritic joint pain, the urge to pee more often, a range of medicines, and less exercise. Stress from relocating or losing loved ones and anxiety or despair are common at an elderly age and may keep our parents up at night.

Ways To Cope or Encourage Sleep

You can do several things to encourage your parents to sleep well and assist them in changing behaviors that may be harming their night’s rest. Here are a few suggestions to help your parents get back on track and maybe avoid becoming overtired in the future.

Encourage Seniors To Move Around More

Exercising consistently as your parent ages might be difficult, particularly if their mobility becomes limited. Whether your senior goes for a walk around their yard, a trip to the shops and back, or even a swim, there are many methods to stay active throughout the day to keep them weary as nighttime comes.

Get Outside Everyday

If you can assist your parent in getting out and about during the day or even ask their home care provider to arrange more outside activities, your parent may be able to sleep better at night. Exposure to sunlight stimulates the creation of melatonin in the body, which increases the amount of oxygen in the brain. The increased oxygen will benefit your parents’ sleep and their general health.

Always Keep a Routine

For parents dealing with erratic sleeping patterns, it may be beneficial to establish a routine with their children to benefit from associating pleasant behaviors with sleep and bedtime rather than worrying that their children will not sleep and forming a negative pattern.

Encourage Relaxation Before Bed

It may seem simple, but eliminating stimulating activities, meals, and beverages before bedtime might help your parent feel calmer and ready for sleep. Taking time to relax in the evening by watching television or reading a book can assist in quieting the body and divert your parent from unwanted thoughts or memories.

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Home Care Assistance in St. Petersburg, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.