A senior may choose to age in place and just because they are diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s does not mean they have to give up their goal. There are specialized caregivers like those skilled in dementia care services who can help ensure your loved one ages in place for as long as possible but has a routine that will boost their quality of life. One thing your senior loved one will need to focus on is creating a good bedtime routine that will help get them to sleep but also feel focused and energized in the morning.
Sometimes a senior who is diagnosed with dementia will experience something called sundowning. This is when they go to bed in the early morning and sleep through the day, waking up at night. This is not good and can disrupt all areas of a senior’s life. Dementia care can help navigate this change but they can also help a senior stick to a routine that encourages sleeping through the night and waking in the morning.
Here are some tips on creating the ideal bedtime routine.
Keep The Lights Low
Most of the time, lights need to be bright enough to allow a senior to see. They may get scared of shadows or they may not see well enough. However, your loved one needs dimmed lights when it comes to bedtime. This allows melatonin production to increase, meaning your senior loved one will naturally become tired as the lights dim. Dementia care can help get your senior loved one ready for bed and start dimming the lights as it gets later in the evening which will tell the body it is bedtime.
Keep It Distraction Free
It may seem silly but a senior may get distracted from being tired. If there is a lot of noise, movement, or light your senior may be more likely to stay up past their bedtime. Often, a senior will need a distraction-free environment when you talk to them or when they are doing a task, or even when they are trying to go to bed. Turn off all of the sounds or turn on white noise. If they are used to going to sleep with white noise it could help them focus on getting to sleep easier.
Stay Away From Coffee
This may seem like a no-brainer, you should stay away from caffeine and other stimulants before bed. Although this seems like common sense to you, the truth is your loved one may be forgetting they have to go to bed and they may be drinking coffee or tea without realizing it has caffeine. Dementia care can help watch what a senior drinks and make better suggestions before bed. This will help ensure your loved one can get to bed on time without any issues.
Limit Naps
One of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to skip mid-day naps. Unfortunately, for seniors, this is not always possible. Your loved one should be focused on staying busy and burning off extra energy which will help them sleep through the night at the proper time.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Dementia Care Services in Easton PA please contact the caring staff at Extended Family Care Allentown today. Call 610-432-6766
Extended Family Care Allentown is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania including Bethlehem, Easton, Emmaus, Macungie, Whitehall, Schnecksville, Catasauqua, Northampton, and Nazareth.
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