Help Your Senior Celebrate World Sleep Day with Better Sleeping Habits

March is designated as National Sleep Awareness Month to celebrate sleep benefits. For several years, World Sleep Day has slumbered onto the scene. Sleep medicine professionals use the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox to remind people of the importance of sleep. They suggest that sleep should be a priority on our lists. The many health benefits include being sick less often, lowering your risk of serious health problems, and reducing stress.

Aging adults experience changes in the quality and quantity of sleep. Part of it is caused by the changes to their ‘internal clock.' Basically, their circadian rhythm is off, and they may not feel as tired at their usual bedtime. Hormone changes also affect their levels of melatonin and cortisol. Developing healthy habits can help offset some of these naturally occurring events. A personal support worker allows Mom or Dad to create the new, healthier habits they need.

How to Establish Healthier Habits for Better Sleep

Your loved ones deserve to have the best quality of life possible. Getting better sleep will help. Here are some ways they can establish healthier habits to accomplish this goal:

1. Maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time. Consistency is the first essential habit Mom should develop. Going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, even on weekends, keeps her body on task for getting the rest she needs.
2. Develop a bedtime routine. Even if Dad is retired and no longer has to follow the same patterns, having a set routine at bedtime will help. Encourage him to find things to help his body relax before his head hits the pillow. Ideas include sipping a cup of warm milk or herbal tea, taking a bath or shower, and reading a book.
3. Address excessive snoring issues. Snoring can be severe enough that breathing is interrupted. This affects the quality of sleep Mom or Dad get and can cause them challenges throughout the day. A doctor can diagnose if there is an issue and what may resolve it.
4. Use more pillows. Some aches and pains that come with aging may be decreased by using more pillows. For example, Dad might place a small pillow under the back of his knees to reduce the stress on his spine when he sleeps on his back. If pillows don't do the trick, it may be time for a new mattress.
5. Avoid afternoon naps. Mom should only have her afternoon siesta if she sleeps well at night. The extra sleep in the afternoon is likely affecting what she gets at night.
6. Hire an in-home care worker. You can only be with your senior some of the time. However, a personal support worker can fill in for you at other times. They will assist with daily care to ensure your loved one gets the support they need for a better night's rest.

Help Your Senior Sleep Better with Quality Home Care

Your senior needs quality sleep to keep them healthy and enjoying a better quality of life. Ensure they get the support they require when you seek out the services of Home Instead Mississauga. Our caring professionals provide personal care assistance, light housekeeping, cooking nutritious meals, dementia care, medication reminders, and more. We create a home care service package that benefits you and your senior. Learn more about our caring team and services when you contact us today.

Call us at (905) 276-2273 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver daily to families in All Mississauga including: Clarkson, Cooksville, Dixie, Erin Mills, Erindale, Lakeview, Lorne Park, Port Credit, Sheridan, Streetsville.