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Tag: Sleep

5 Things That Will Help Your Mom Sleep Better At Night

Posted on by Craig Bass

Insomnia, sleep apnea, and the symptoms of many different physical conditions can make sleep difficult for seniors. And when seniors can’t sleep they can become anxious, which can make it even harder for them to sleep.

But sleep directly impacts health. When seniors aren’t getting enough sleep, their health can suffer because of it. If your senior parent is having trouble sleeping or they’re not getting enough sleep talk to their doctor. They may need a sleep study to figure out why they aren’t sleeping well.

In the meantime, these things may help your mom get a better night’s rest and help her fall asleep faster:

Home Care Assistance

Home care assistance can help alleviate any anxiety your mom has at night. If your mom is not used to being alone at night it can be very lonely. With home care assistance, someone will be there to talk to your mom at night, watch TV with her, help her get ready for bed, and make sure she doesn’t need anything during the night. Sometimes just knowing someone else is there can be a huge comfort.

A Hot Bath

A hot bath can be very relaxing and a great way for seniors to wind down for the night. Just make sure the bath isn’t too hot. Home care assistance can help your mom safely enjoy a hot bath then get into some cozy pajamas so she can drift off to sleep. Using bath products can be a good way to make baths more relaxing. Just make sure not to use oils or any products that can make the tub slippery. You don’t want mom to fall getting out of the tub!

Meditation

Meditation and breathing exercises help a lot of seniors manage anxiety at night and prepare for a deep sleep. If your mom has never tried meditation before you should talk to her and see if it’s something she is interested in trying. There are lots of guided mediation apps, CDs, and playlists that can help her learn how to meditate. Many seniors report that they fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply if they meditate at night.

A Nightly Phone Call

Another great way to alleviate the loneliness that your mom might be feeling at night is for you or your siblings to call her every night at a set time just to say goodnight. Even if it’s just a quick five minute call it can give your mom a lot of comfort. And you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that she’s ok. If you have siblings, you can take turns calling so that your mom gets a chance to talk with all of her kids.

A Voice Activated Assistant

A voice activated assistant may give your mom peace of mind and make life much more pleasant for her. And it can be a great safety tool as well. Your mom can tell the voice activated assistant to turn on the lights if she needs to get up. Or she can tell it to play music or call one of her children if she needs help.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care assistance in Alamo, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

Can Sleep Be Impacted by Foods?

Posted on by Craig Bass
Personal Care at Home in Clayton CA
Personal Care at Home in Clayton CA

When a senior sleeps well, it directly impacts their overall health, which is crucial for aging in place. There are some changes in sleeping habits as a senior gets older, but the truth is that no matter what, they should still be getting 7-8 hours per night. Personal care at home can help a senior stay on a nightly routine that may help them get to sleep easier or even prepare some tea for your senior before bed. They provide a lot more than companionship. Personal care at home can prepare tea and foods that may help a senior sleep better. Here are some of the foods you need to know about when you want to ensure your senior sleeps better.

Oatmeal and Milk

You may be thinking that oatmeal and milk are breakfast foods, but the truth is that they can help a senior sleep at night. Personal care at home can help a senior prepare this meal. The best thing about oats and milk is that they can be placed in the fridge overnight in case they want to eat them in the morning with some fruit. Complex carbs are great before bed because they’re rich in calcium and magnesium, which can promote better sleep.

Yogurt and walnuts

Yogurt, both Greek and normal, contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is well known for its sedative effects. Tryptophan is metabolized in the body into sleep-inducing chemicals like melatonin. If you sprinkle some walnuts on top of your yogurt, you’ll receive the extra advantage of magnesium, which has been found to reduce sleeplessness in the elderly.

Eat a Salmon Dinner

Salmon and oysters both provide a high-quality protein that has been shown to improve sleep quality. These foods are not just rich in vitamin D, which promotes restful sleep, but also in omega-3, a nutrient that controls the mood-altering chemicals. Quick and wholesome, these salmon foil packets are a breeze to make. If you want your senior to sleep well, consider making a salmon salad for dinner! This is high protein, low fat, and filling without being a heavy meal before bed.

Are There Foods to Avoid for Seniors?

Diet can have a major impact on sleep. Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help you get the energy you need during the day, while avoiding unhealthy foods and beverages filled with sugars can help you get a better night’s sleep. Eating a nutritious dinner can help you wind down for the night and fall asleep faster. Eating too close to bedtime can cause indigestion and discomfort that can keep you up at night. Something to consider is that if a senior is drinking any liquid right before bed, it can cause them to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

A senior should avoid alcohol right before bed because it disrupts sleep stages and may also have an impact on sleep walking. This can be super dangerous for a senior because they may hurt themselves from sleep walking.

Reference
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/better-sleep-3-simple-diet-tweaks
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition

If you or an aging loved one is considering personal care at home in Clayton, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

What Causes Sleep Deprivation for Seniors?

Posted on by Craig Bass
24-Hour Home Care in Danville CA
24-Hour Home Care in Danville CA

It’s not unusual at all for aging adults to start having trouble getting enough sleep. If that goes on too long, sleep deprivation isn’t far behind. So, what’s causing these sleep problems your aging family member is having and what can you do about them? There might be more you can do to resolve the situation for her, including bringing in 24-hour home care to get through sleepless nights safely.

Simple Aging

Sometimes the sleep problems she’s experiencing creep in just because your elderly family member is growing older. As people age, their habits and routines change. But their bodies and the needs their bodies have also can change a bit. Your elderly family member may find that she simply doesn’t experience sleep the same way she used to experience it.

Health Issues and Medications

There might also be health issues your elderly family member is experiencing that can affect her ability to sleep. Pain, breathing problems, and other health conditions can all make sleeping a lot more difficult than it used to be. If your elderly family member is taking medications, then side effects could be affecting her ability to sleep as well. One way to keep an eye on how your elderly family member’s health issues are impacting her life is for 24-hour home care professionals to be there with her.

Worry, Anxiety, and Stress

It might seem as if your elderly family member doesn’t have anything to worry about, but that’s not the case for anyone, really. Your senior may find that she’s anxious about her health or worrying about people that she loves. Any of these concerns can be enough to interfere with her ability to sleep as well as she would like. Knowing that caregivers are there with her can make a huge difference for you both.

Living on Her Own

As much as your elderly family member might love living on her own, there’s a certain level of angst that goes along with living alone. This can have a big impact on her sleep, including causing her to have significant trouble sleeping. One solution is for 24-hour home care professionals to be there with your senior, to help alleviate any concerns she might have about being on her own.

Lack of Routine

Routines are so important for people of all ages, but they’re especially essential for seniors. Your elderly family member’s routines keep her on target with all of the areas of her life. When she’s not getting enough sleep, her routines suffer. That then becomes a continuing problem because without routines, she’s probably not getting to bed at the right time and she might be getting up too late. All of that can continue to make bigger problems as time goes on. Home care professionals can do a lot to make sure your senior’s routines are easier to keep.

If your elderly family member is still having trouble sleeping, there might be more behind the problem. She should talk with her doctor to see if there are any underlying issues that need to be addressed.

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Danville, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.