Sometimes when your elderly family member is having trouble getting the sleep that she needs, the problem is the routine around her attempts to sleep. If her routine doesn’t support her efforts, she’s going to find it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep.
If She Doesn’t Have a Routine at All
One of the biggest ways that your senior’s sleep routine could pose a problem is that she doesn’t have a routine at all. Even a loose routine is important because the human body enjoys having a schedule to follow. Have her pick a time she wants to get up and then use that to backtrack to a bedtime. From there, you can determine how long she might want to use to unwind before sleeping.
Daytime Naps Might Be an Issue
If your elderly family member is taking naps during the day, that might be helping her to catch up on some of her lost sleep. But it can also be causing her to keep having trouble sleeping at night. Taking a nap during the day can absolutely be wonderful, but it needs to be on the shorter side. Taking a nap earlier in the day rather than later is also a good plan.
She Might Get Uncomfortable in Bed
Staying in bed for too long can also be a problem for your elderly family member, especially if she’s dealing with aches and pains. Take a look at how many hours your senior is spending in bed trying to sleep. She might get relief by cutting that time shorter by an hour or so in order to release pressure on muscles and joints.
A Bedtime Routine Can Really Work
Having a solid bedtime routine can set your senior up for success when it comes to sleep. Find activities that help her to relax and that naturally lead her into sleep. She might like listening to music or something that relaxes her and then turning the lights down gradually. Some people enjoy a warm bath before bed. Whatever it is that relaxes your senior, work that into her bedtime routine.
When your senior is adjusting to a new sleep routine, it can help to have elder care providers available to help. They can keep her on track during the day so that her routine in the evening flows smoothly. They may also be helpful at night to help you keep track of what’s going on.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Pacifica, CA, call the caring staff at Aviva In-Home Care. Call today: (415) 795-2203
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