According to seniorliving.about.com, seniors need just as much sleep as younger adults, which means at least 7-9 hours per night. To help ensure you and your loved one are getting a peaceful night’s rest, try a few of these tips:
Dr. Furman, vice-chair of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville, says that if you and your loved one have always slept together, it would be best to remain doing so. “That comfortable person sleeping beside you helps you relax and have a good night’s sleep,” Furman says.
However, for others, sleeping in separate bedrooms might be best.
For patients who wander, an over-lay bed alarm could help provide reassurance for both parties. Equipping a bed with rails is also a good idea to prevent falls.
Lastly, hiring or recruiting another person to stay overnight with the older adult at least once a week can provide extra peace of mind.
Read more about getting good sleep and caregiving tips in our current issue.
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