Are you a family caregiver who has difficulty sleeping? Rest assured you’re not alone. A study conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving found 87 percent of caregivers experience insomnia. Here’s what predisposes caregivers to insomnia and a few strategies to help you obtain some much-needed sleep.
The Nature of Insomnia
Symptoms of insomnia include:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Waking up too early
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Not feeling well rested after sleeping
- Irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Difficulty focusing on tasks
- Memory lapses
- Increased errors or accidents
- Tension headaches
A sleepless night here and there isn’t cause for worry. However, when insomnia lasts three nights a week for a month or more, it becomes problematic. Insomnia results when we can’t relax our minds and bodies. The key is learning how to relax. This is a challenge for many family caregivers, and it may take some practice before you’re able to clear your mind and release the tension in your body so you can rest.
Hiring a professional caregiver can allow you to take a break from your caregiving duties to focus on your health and wellbeing. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, University Park, TX, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.
Causes of Insomnia
You may not be fully aware of what’s keeping you from sleeping. Caregivers are often subject to the following:
- Worrying about their loved ones’ wellbeing
- Being overloaded with responsibilities—the cumulative stress of working, caring for family, and maintaining a household can take its toll
- Being in overdrive—fueling up with caffeine and carbohydrates can make you jittery and overtired
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re the primary family caregiver for an elderly loved one and need additional assistance providing high-quality in-home care, Home Care Assistance can help. We are a leading home care agency committed to changing the way seniors age.
Putting Insomnia to Rest
The following are some great ways to put insomnia to rest:
- Turn off technology
- Create a bedtime ritual
- Supplement your diet with minerals
- Eat walnuts
- Breathe deeply
- Reduce caffeine consumption
- Exercise daily
- Consult your doctor
- Ask for caregiving help
One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior care. University Park families can turn to Home Care Assistance for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour live-in care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. To talk to one of our friendly Care Managers and create a customized senior care plan, call us at (214) 363-3400.