VISITING ANGELS SARASOTA, FL 941-952-5800
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7 Tips to Support Seniors With Insomnia

7 Tips to Support Seniors With Insomnia

Sleep is an integral part of healthy aging, but what happens if a senior loved one has difficulties getting a good night’s rest? While sleep patterns tend to change as individuals age, it’s important to discover if any physical, emotional, cognitive, or medicinal factors are causing the problem.

Insomnia, a disorder that causes persistent problems falling or staying asleep, is a common sleep issue among seniors. According to the Sleep Foundation, the following symptoms may indicate insomnia for seniors:

  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Waking up early constantly
  • Resisting the need to go to bed at a reasonable time
  • Inability to feel refreshed after waking up in the morning
  • Having issues concentrating during the day
  • Relying on pills to fall asleep

If a loved one experiences insomnia symptoms, schedule an appointment with a physician.

Ignoring insomnia can lead to daytime sleepiness and cause irritability, increased risk of falls and accidents, and reduced quality of life. Insomnia may also cause problems with metabolism, mental and cardiovascular health, immune system, and lung function.

In-Home Care Can Promote Healthy Sleep for Seniors

Although a physician will identify factors contributing to insomnia and recommend a treatment plan, an in-home personal caregiver can play a supportive role. Here are ways a professional caregiver can promote healthy sleep for seniors:

  1. Provide companionship
    A Visiting Angels’ caregiver can offer companionship your senior needs to create a peaceful bedtime routine. Our caregivers offer overnight and 24/7 care, as well as a “turndown” service, to assist your loved one with preparing for bed. If your older adult becomes fearful, worried, or wakeful in the evening or during the night, a professional home caregiver can be a soothing, reassuring presence.
  1. Assist with dementia-related symptoms
    Seniors with dementia may experience “sundowning,” which can cause increased confusion, anxiety, and agitation beginning at dusk and lasting throughout the night. Sundowning can sometimes result in nighttime wandering, pacing, disorientation, and restlessness. If your loved one needs dementia care, Visiting Angels can provide dedicated personal care and safe overnight supervision.
  1. Maintain healthy daytime routines
    Shifts in daytime routines can affect quality of sleep at night. A Visiting Angels’ caregiver helps encourage restful sleep for seniors by maintaining familiar routines, such as going to bed and waking up at the same time, avoiding long afternoon naps, eating meals on a regular schedule, and getting regular exercise.
  1. Encourage good sleep habits before bedtime
    Good sleep habits before bedtime can go a long way toward managing insomnia. For example, a Visiting Angels’ caregiver can limit exposure to artificial light before bedtime by encouraging your senior to turn off the television and engage in conversation or reading. A caregiver can also make sure your loved one’s bedroom is quiet, dark, and at a comfortable temperature.
  1. Provide medication reminders
    A Visiting Angels caregiver will remind seniors to take their prescriptions at the scheduled time.
  1. Reduce the risk of a nighttime accident
    In addition to dementia, other health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart failure, asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes, and urological or gastrointestinal disorders can cause insomnia.

    If your senior needs to get out of bed to use the bathroom, get a drink, or take medication, they could be at a higher risk of a fall or accident if not supervised — particularly if they are also experiencing problems with mobility, eyesight, or cognitive functioning. A Visiting Angels’ caregiver can provide support during the night by minimizing awake time and helping to prevent accidents.
  1. Support a spouse or family member in the household
    When a senior has sleep issues, it can keep everyone else in the household awake. Our caregivers can be there to assist your senior during the night, so other family members can get the rest they need, too.

If your older loved one is living with insomnia, our Visiting Angels caregivers can take steps to keep them safe, offer reassurance, and promote good sleep habits — while providing peace of mind for family members. Contact us today to schedule a free home care consultation.

Serving Sarasota, Siesta Key, St Armand's Key & the Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels SARASOTA, FL
965 University Pkwy #101
Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: 941-952-5800
NR30211676

Serving Sarasota, Siesta Key, St Armand's Key & the Surrounding Areas

Visiting Angels SARASOTA, FL
965 University Pkwy #101
Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: 941-952-5800
NR30211676
Providing home care referrals throughout Sarasota County. Let us help you by referring professional senior caregivers for your needs, including:



"I work out of the  country  on  a regular  basis  and I needed special  care  for  my dad  who  suffers  from  Dementia .I contacted  Visiting  Angels  and spoke with Josephine . I was blown away with the  care my Dad received from Josephine and her team. Every time I called either Josephine or JerryMarie were there to answer all my questions. I would highly recommend Josephine to anybody looking for care for their loved ones.She is the most caring person I ever came across."

– Owen M. (More reviews here)

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐