Seven Ways to Get a Better Night’s Sleep
Make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep, too. Family caregivers often take on a lot of extra daily tasks, and you stay up late to ensure everything is done before you go to bed. You need to get the same seven to eight hours of sleep that your mom needs. These tips can help you both sleep well.
Don’t Eat a Heavy Meal Before Bed
It may have been a hectic day, but a meal right before bedtime may keep you up. As digestion starts up, laying flat may allow stomach acid to creep into the esophagus and cause heartburn. You and your mom should try to eat meals at least three hours before going to bed.
Set Up a Helpful Routine
A nighttime routine that makes her sleepy is also important. Your mom could go to her room, put on some soothing lavender body lotion, get into pajamas, and lay down and read her book for an hour. When she’s tired, she turns off the light, turns on her fan or white noise machine, and goes to sleep.
Stop Drinking Full Glasses of Water Before Bed
A few sips of water before bed are fine, but a full glass is going to wake your mom in the middle of the night. She’ll need to go to the bathroom, and that often means turning on lights and walking down a hallway or even down the stairs. That can cause her to fully awaken.
Nightlights can help illuminate hallways and stairs enough to get to the bathroom safely, but even that can be bright enough to wake her up. If she avoids full glasses of water after dinner, it will make a difference.
Buy a New Mattress
Sometimes, a new mattress is the best way to get a good night’s sleep. If your mom’s mattress is old and has springs poking into her hips, she’s not going to be comfortable. The good news is that many mattresses come in small boxes and unfold and fully expand. This makes it possible to have mattresses shipped right to her home.
Block Outside Noise and Traffic
Often, it’s the dog or coyote yipping in the middle of the night, traffic racing past, or car doors slamming that disrupt sleep, especially if you live in a busy neighborhood. By using a white noise machine or something that creates white noise, such as a fan, your mom can drown out some of those noises.
Stop Napping During the Day
Does your mom get bored and take naps during the day? Her body may not be tired enough to sleep through the night. She needs to stop napping.
To do this, she might need to find new hobbies or activities that keep her busy. A walk to the local park helps her get exercise, which benefits her well-being.
You Need to Sleep Enough, Too
In-home care services are helpful in easing your load. Let caregivers help your mom with certain tasks, and spend the time you gain taking care of other chores. You’ll be able to sleep through the night knowing that nothing was left unfinished. Talk to an in-home care specialist to discuss prices and availability.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care in Pineville, NC, please call the professional staff at Caring at Heart today at (704) 379-7510. Serving Charlotte, Statesville, Ballantyne, Mooresville, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Gastonia, Pineville and Indian Trail
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