Providing care to older adults can prevent caregivers from properly taking care of themselves, which often includes failing to get adequate sleep at night. Not sleeping well could leave you tired, anxious, and irritable when taking care of your aging loved one. Consider taking the following steps to enhance the quality of your sleep.
Avoid Consuming Caffeine Close to Bedtime
Drinking a caffeinated beverage too late in the day could prevent you from falling asleep at a reasonable time. Caffeine can also cause your body to get rid of excess fluid and prevent you from sleeping well. Try not to consume coffee, tea, or soda at least four hours before bedtime.
Caring for a senior loved one can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming for family caregivers who have other responsibilities they need to focus on. For these families, the perfect solution is respite care. Richmond families rely on our caregivers whenever they need time to rest, work, run errands, and even go on vacation.
Don’t Turn on Your Screens
Studies have shown that the light reflecting off screens on smartphones, computers, tablets, TVs, and other devices can cause insomnia. Turn your devices off at least an hour or two before bedtime, and consider reading a book or listening to some music if you need to clear your head.
Find a Way to Relax
If you’re too wound up to sleep at night, find a way to relax. Write in a journal, take a hot bath, meditate, or do some stretches. These activities can help you turn your mind off and stop worrying about the next day’s tasks. Relaxing is also a great way to rid yourself of the day’s stress and spend a few minutes by yourself.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to take a break from your caregiving duties to get some rest. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality home care service, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Make Your Bedroom a Place Solely for Sleeping
Turn your bedroom into a special place just for sleep. Create a dark, cool, and tranquil atmosphere that encourages sleep, and make sure you have a comfortable bed and linens. It’s also important to sleep alone or only with your significant other if possible. Your parent, children, and anyone else in your home should sleep in their own rooms unless it’s not possible for safety reasons.
Stick to a Schedule
Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day should be your goal. While it’s tempting to sleep late on some days or stay up late watching a movie, maintaining a schedule is a good way to get enough sleep. You may even want to get your loved one on a schedule so you both benefit from it.
Sleep-deprived caregivers may find it difficult to care for their aging parents. Families who need help caring for senior loved ones can turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Richmond senior care. Services available in our customizable care plans include meal prep, mental and social stimulation, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, and much more. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (804) 207-4746 today.