Maybe your loved one has never complained to you that she doesn’t sleep well, but now that you have a 24-hour home care team assisting her throughout her entire day and night, they’ve called your attention to the fact that your loved one struggles with either falling asleep or staying awake. One of the benefits of having a 24-hour home care team is that they can help you become more aware of any issues your loved one is having at home.
If sleeping is an issue that your 24-hour home care team has spoken to you about, five main reasons could be the culprit behind her not being able to sleep well. Finding the reason behind why she isn’t sleeping well will be the first step in helping your loved one get a restful night’s sleep going forward.
Insomnia
Insomnia covers a wide range of symptoms. It can mean your loved one can’t fall asleep or it could mean she can’t stay asleep. It creates difficulty in performing daytime tasks because of the exhaustion it causes. Insomnia also leads to other health problems such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction. It can make driving dangerous and cause endless frustration when trying to complete a complicated task.
Sleep Apnea & Other Sleep Disorders
Sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing in the middle of the night, interrupting their sleep patterns. The risk of developing increases as a person gets older, and it can interfere with your loved one being able to get enough REM sleep to receive a fully restorative night’s sleep. Sleep apnea has been linked to higher risks of developing coronary artery disease and having a stroke.
Underlying Medical Problems
Sometimes not being able to sleep isn’t a direct sleep health problem, but more of a side effect of another health issue. Many diseases and conditions can affect whether or not a person can have a good night’s sleep.
- Health issues that cause your loved one to be in constant pain like osteoarthritis
- Breathing conditions such as COPD or congestive heart failure
- Heartburn caused by Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- An enlarged prostate or overactive bladder that leads to multiple bathroom visits during the night
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Restless Leg Syndrome
RLS causes a sensation of restlessness, crawling, or itching in the legs that can only be relieved by movement. Sufferers find themselves getting up multiple times each night to stretch their legs and alleviate the symptoms. While it’s not painful, it does interrupt sleep.
Medication side effects. Some medications may cause your loved one to lose sleep. If medication is a cause of your loved one not sleeping well, talk to her doctor about possible alternatives.
Finally, no matter the cause, developing a good bedtime routine that promotes calm and quiet can help your loved one combat some of these symptoms, no matter the cause. Talk to your 24-hour home care provider about how they can help your loved one unwind and prepare for sleep each night.
If you or an aging loved one are considering 24-Hour Home Care in San Diego, CA please contact the caring staff at La Jolla Nurses Homecare today. Call (858) 454-9339
La Jolla Nurses Homecare is a top provider of home care services in San Diego, La Jolla, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carmel Valley, Point Loma, Bankers Hill, Mission Hills, Kensington, Coronado, University City, Pacific Beach, and all of San Diego County.
Today we are the oldest and most experienced private duty agency in San Diego County.She saw a need for quality private duty home health care and she worked diligently to build an agency that filled that need.I am proud to say, her vision is carried on today with our dedicated staff.
I believe our tenure in the community speaks well for us.We have had the opportunity to be of service to countless interesting individuals, including local and worldwide celebrities.It is the people we care for that makes this a fascinating industry.Whether high profile or a more ordinary citizen, we are proud that thousands have entrusted us with their care or the care of their loved ones.Our Mission is to provide high quality, very secure and the most compassionate home health care.We believe that patients heal faster and are happiest when they can stay in their homes.”
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