Many people have trouble sleeping, regardless of their age. If you have a beloved senior relative that is complaining of having trouble sleeping, there are a variety of ways that you or an in-home care professional might be able to help.
Increase Exercise
The more exercise a person gets, the better they might be able to sleep. This does not mean that they have to perform extensive exercise; even moderate activity could help to promote sleep. The change won’t occur over night, but with regular activity, the sleep patterns might improve within a few months. Encouraging brisk walks or light weight training can help your senior enjoy their nighttime rest even more.
Avoid Caffeine
As with anyone, avoiding caffeine is the best way to help a senior with sleep problems. Slower digestion equals a slower metabolizing of caffeine, which means it could keep your senior relative up late into the night if they consume it throughout the day. You or your senior’s caregiver can encourage elimination of caffeine altogether. If this is impossible, consuming it early on in the day is a better choice than throughout the day when it can cause sleep problems.
Limit Naps
If your senior likes to take a mid-day snooze, try to limit it to 30 minutes. It should also be taken as early as possible in the day to avoid making it difficult to fall asleep early in the evening when they are ready to retire for the night.
