Older adults living with conditions such as dementia can have a higher risk of daytime sleepiness than seniors without neurological disorders. The memory problems associated with such conditions make it difficult to differentiate between night and day due to poor brain functioning. As a result, aging adults with dementia might sleep more during the day and less at night.
To manage this issue, find fun activities that keep your loved one active during the day, and develop a good nighttime routine that makes him or her feel safe, secure, and more amenable to sleep. A good bedtime routine includes avoiding beverages, providing comfortable temperatures, and turning off background lighting or noises.
If your loved one is excessively tired or sleepy during the day, he or she may need assistance with the tasks of everyday living. The type of home care Arlington seniors need can vary. Some need assistance a few hours a day, while others require more extensive around-the-clock assistance. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual care needs, and the plans can be adjusted at any time.
Depression
Negative emotions can overtake seniors and cause them to sleep more each day. These emotions may be caused by the loss of loved ones, a negative health diagnosis, financial stress, or chemical changes in the brain.
Regardless of why your parent is depressed, it’s necessary to find ways to manage it to enhance his or her mental health and lower the odds of other conditions that impact hormones and sleeping patterns. A few excellent ways to reduce depression and enhance your loved one’s sleeping habits include:
- Encouraging fun activities
- Increasing the numbers of family visits
- Learning how to find the positives in all situations
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Poor Eating Habits
The food seniors eat can give them more energy and lead to better sleeping patterns at night. It could also eliminate the need for unnecessary naps during the day, which is why you should encourage your parent to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and other nutrients. These foods can boost brain functioning, reduce fatigue, and lower the odds of anxiety and depression. The nutrients your loved one should consume regularly include magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and D.
In addition to poor eating habits, drinking sugary beverages or alcohol can cause seniors to sleep more during the day. The ingredients in these drinks could make seniors feel sluggish in the daytime and cause sleep disruptions at night.
Effects of Medication
Many seniors take multiple prescriptions to treat various conditions, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, allergies, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Although the medications can help with those health problems, they can also cause extreme fatigue and excessive daytime sleeping.
Monitor your parent’s resting patterns after he or she takes medications. If you notice your loved one napping for long periods during the day, particularly after taking a dose, inform his or her primary care physician. The doctor can recommend a new plan that treats the medical condition without causing increased fatigue.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Arlington, VA, Assisting Hands Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Assisting Hands Home Care. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
