Caregiver with flower

Sleep and Sundowners: How Can Senior Home Care Help?


If your elderly loved one is experiencing sundowners, a symptom of dementia that causes them to be more confused and irritated later in the evening and at nighttime, it may be affecting their sleep. Many senior citizens who have this issue find it tough to fall asleep when they should be going to bed. They may also get up a lot throughout the night because their thoughts wake them up and keep them awake. If this is happening with your elderly loved one, it can be a lot to handle for just one person. You may not be able to be over at their house at all during the late evening and nighttime hours. However, senior home care can be there at any hour of the day for your elderly loved one. They can help with this issue in numerous ways.


Playing Music

One way that senior home care can help your senior to sleep better is by playing music. Studies have shown that soothing, low-tempo, calming music can be one of the best ways to help ease the mind before falling asleep. If your elderly loved one seems to need some noise when they are falling asleep, a caregiver can find the right type of music that helps them to get better sleep quality. If your elderly loved one doesn’t like music, they could enjoy a white noise machine, nature sounds or even the increasingly popular ASMR videos to lull them to sleep.


Use of Aromatherapy Oils

Another way to help your elderly loved one to get better sleep if they are struggling with sundowners is by using aromatherapy oils. There are so many different types of diffusers and essential oils that can be used to relax the body and the mind. Some of the best options are orange bergamot, chamomile, and lavender. It is important to note there may be some aromas that aggravate your elderly loved one. If this is the case, let the professional caregivers know and they can avoid those ones.


Using Melatonin

If your elderly loved one still isn’t sleeping well due to aggravation or irritation in the evening or nighttime, it may be a good idea to take your elderly loved one to the doctor. At this appointment, you can ask their doctor if melatonin would be a good supplement for your elderly loved one to take. Some senior citizens who have sundowners that take melatonin about 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed find it much easier to fall and stay asleep.


Senior Care Conclusion

Does your elderly loved one have sundowners? Are they have a difficult time sleeping at nighttime due to this issue? If so, it is important to do all you can to help them get better quality sleep. The better sleep they can get, the better their day and night will go. Hopefully, the solutions noted here today can help resolve or improve this issue.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering hiring Senior Care in Lafayette, CO, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts at Home today at 303-255-4071.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/tips-coping-sundowning

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