Caregiver Tip: Ways to help sleep through the night

Restless nights can be common for older adults, but there are some things a caregiver can do to help the person sleep better.

Here are a few tips from the Del Mar Caregivers Resource Center:

— Limit caffeine intake to the morning, omit alcohol, and limit tobacco use. All these steps can lead to better sleep.

–Plan for active days. Take a walk together. Have the person sweep the floor or rake leaves. Even rocking in a chair is activity. Go on a drive or have the person help fold laundry.

–Limit daytime napping. If naps are necessary, make them short and in the morning.

–Seek out sunlight in the morning.

–Plan for a relaxed evening. Limit visitors, noise, and upsetting activities.

–Make bedtime routine easy; make sure the person goes to the restroom before bed, and allow him to sleep on the sofa and/or in street clothes if necessary.

–Adjust the room temperatures to a comfortable level. Make sure the bed, chair, pillow, and night clothes are comfortable. Give him his favorite pillow or blanket.

–Use a nightlight for safety’s sake.

If these tips seem useful to you as a caregiver, Care Connection has plenty more in a series of free brochures.  Just call us at 1-800-748-7826 and ask for the family caregiving specialist.