Many seniors have difficulty falling or staying asleep, but changes in the body that result from Alzheimer’s disease can make getting a full night’s rest even more difficult. An inability to get high-quality sleep can worsen symptoms of the disease and cause irritability, extreme mood swings, and changes in behavior. If you provide care for a senior loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s and you’re concerned about the amount of sleep he or she is getting each night, read on to explore some of the simplest ways to overcome sleep issues associated with Alzheimer’s. Assisting your loved one with these activities can promote a higher quality of life for him or her.
Encourage Daily Activity
The inability to sleep at night can cause seniors to take long naps during the day, creating an unhealthy cycle of poor sleep habits. Keeping your loved one active during the day can counteract this problem. Activities don’t have to be strenuous, and they can include anything from a walk around the block to playing a game of cards in the late afternoon. This prevents long periods of inactivity when your loved one may feel inclined to doze off.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Limit Beverages at Night
While it’s important for your loved one to stay hydrated, especially if he or she is taking a number of medications for Alzheimer’s and other health conditions, it’s important to limit beverages at night. This will minimize your loved one’s need to use the restroom once he or she is asleep. Caffeinated beverages such as soda should also be eliminated from the evening routine.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Senior Stride Home Care is a leading Oshkosh elderly home care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Create a Calming Environment
Dim the lights in your loved one’s room before he or she goes to bed to promote a calming atmosphere. Make sure your parent’s bedroom is at a comfortable temperature, as Alzheimer’s can often affect a senior’s sensitivity to heat or cold. It’s also important to keep the surroundings as quiet as possible once your loved one goes to bed because the slightest noises might keep him or her awake for hours.
Seek Medical Help
If the changes in your loved one’s schedule and environment don’t address his or her sleep issues, a doctor may be able to prescribe certain medications to promote sleep at night. These may include Haldol, Risperdal, Desyrel, and lorazepam. The doctor may also be able to recommend certain activities for your loved one’s specific symptoms or sleep issues.
Alzheimer’s can be challenging for seniors to manage without assistance, and it can be just as challenging for families who don’t have experience in providing Alzheimer’s care. Oshkosh Senior Stride Home Care provides Alzheimer’s care seniors and their families can depend on. Our proprietary Cognitive Therapeutics Method was designed to help seniors with Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions live happier and healthier lives. To learn about our premier in-home care options, give us a call at 920-717-1767 today.