A common problem for aging veterans is that they don’t get nearly enough sleep. Whether they have a tough time adopting the sleep schedule they want or they flat-out can’t sleep at night, insomnia is something that aging veterans may be able to change with the right help. Veteran’s home care providers can help aging veterans look at their current sleep hygiene habits and determine if there’s something else they can try.
Increase Time in Natural Light
Sometimes seniors get out of sync with their sleep schedules because their circadian rhythms are off. One way to try resetting them is to increase the time that aging veterans spend in natural light, particularly in the morning. Spending just a few minutes to an hour near a window or in a bright location can help.
Avoid Large Meals or Alcohol Before Bed
If aging veterans eat larger meals at night or drink alcohol before bed, they may find that it’s a lot more difficult to get the sleep that they need. Eating a little bit earlier and reducing portion sizes slightly can be a huge help. Alcohol might seem to help with sleep at first, but eventually, seniors find that they need to drink a little more to get the same results.
Stopping the habits that make it tougher to sleep well can sometimes help.
Check the Bedroom for Issues
Veteran’s home care providers can also help aging veterans to spot issues with their bedrooms overnight. Keeping the room too warm, for instance, can make it difficult to sleep. Dropping the temperature at night or even just adding a fan can make a big difference. Adding blackout curtains can keep streetlights from disrupting sleep, too.
Other issues might involve uncomfortable bedding or mattresses that need replacing.
Set a Reasonable Sleep Schedule
When aging veterans don’t have a set sleep schedule, they might find it difficult to get the sleep they really need. Establishing a set time for going to bed and getting up doesn’t mean that seniors are losing their independence.
Instead, it means that they’re giving their bodies and brains a schedule that they need to start getting reliable sleep. Veteran’s home care providers can help seniors figure out a sleep schedule that works for them.
Increase Physical Activity
As long as their doctors agree, aging veterans might find that increasing their physical activity levels does a lot to help them sleep better. Exercise helps to reduce excess energy that can keep seniors awake.
It also helps aging veterans to feel better in general, both physically and in terms of the chemicals the brain releases during and after movement. Eventually, that increase in physical activity can help seniors to get better sleep consistently.
Rule Out Underlying Health Issues
In some cases, underlying health issues cause insomnia in aging veterans. Addressing these underlying health issues gives seniors a better chance to get the sleep they need. Veteran’s home care providers can help aging veterans stick to care plans their medical providers recommend.
Having trouble sleeping is frustrating and doesn’t have to be something that aging veterans just accept as part of life. Veteran’s home care providers can work with seniors and their healthcare providers to find solutions that work for them.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Veteran’s Home Care in Franklin, WI, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090
At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
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