Why Does Your Elderly Loved One Have Poor Quality Sleep?

Senior Care in East Hampton NY

Poor sleep can make your elderly loved one feel sluggish and out of sorts all day long. Worse, she may find that when she’s finally ready to try sleeping again, she winds up sleeping badly again, which starts the cycle all over again. Here are some potential causes.

She’s Stressed or Anxious

Stress and anxiety can create many problems for your elderly loved one, not the least of which is having a difficult time sleeping properly. Getting to the root of your loved one’s anxiety or stress can help to resolve the issue. Your loved one might enjoy relaxation activities before bed or finding ways to relieve her stress during the day.

She’s Not Moving Enough

If your elderly loved one is living a sedentary life, she might find that she’s unable to sleep well when she tries. The answer could be as simple as taking a short walk every day, but it’s important to make sure that your loved one is able to exercise even a little. Talk to her doctor before you make any changes to her current activity levels, just to be on the safe side.

She’s in Pain or Has Other Health Issues

Dealing with chronic pain or with the effects of other health issues can pack a big wallop for your elderly loved one. Looking for ways to deal with the underlying health issues properly can help to ease the way for better sleep, but you and your loved one’s doctor may need to do some serious problem-solving to determine what the best course of action is.

She Doesn’t Have Good Sleep Habits

Your elderly loved one’s current sleep habits can have a tremendous impact on the quality of the sleep that she gets. If she’s eating sugary or caffeinated foods before bed, for example, that can be sabotaging her plans to get some shut eye. Likewise, sleeping too much during the day, having an unpredictable sleep cycle, and even falling asleep to the television can all contribute, too. Try weeding through your loved one’s current habits to sort out the beneficial ones from the ones that are causing trouble.

Work with your loved one’s elder care providers and her doctor to determine the best plan for getting her better quality sleep.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional senior care in East Hampton, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.