Sarah loved being independent and has always been independent. She never wanted to get into a care home. She wanted to die at a place she had called home for the past three decades surrounded by her loved ones.
She prefers to be on her own, do her own things, have what she wants. She always thought that if she goes to a care home, she got to eat what they produce, indulge in activities they organize. It is different from the care you get at home, she says.
This is when one of her friends, Dulcie recommended Inspiration Hospice. Sarah always believed that having someone come to your home to provide care makes it easier to receive their undivided attention.
At Inspiration Hospice, patients and families always come first. We understand that it is reassuring for the patient’s family to have peace of mind knowing that the patient is being looked after with care and compassion.
The potential of receiving home care comes with a lot of benefits. Sarah said she would recommend in-home hospice care services to anyone who is looking for end-of-life options.
She Said, “Inspiration Hospice is always there at the end of the phone, no matter what time or day it is.”
Caring for loved ones can be extremely challenging and overwhelming. However, night time care can leave the family caregiver exhausted.
Aging often affects the habitual sleep patterns. Aging adults requires seven to nine hours of undisturbed sleep per night. However, a majority of seniors tend to wake up in the middle of the night, when they should be sleeping deeply and peacefully.
As a person grows old, he experiences a natural change in hormones which gives way to new sleeping habits. This can lead to a broken sleep pattern which aggravates degenerative conditions such as dementia and negatively affect the patient’s well-being.
This is when hiring an overnight caregiver can help the family caregiver get the rest they deserve and make senior’s nighttime rest as comfortable as possible.
Overnight Care for Elderly
It’s 2 am and Rob’s dad wakes him up for the fifth time that night asking for assistance getting to the bathroom…
With little or no patience left, Rob tiredly wake up and shout on his dad, asking him to just sleep…
The senior chose to walk to the bathroom himself and while getting out of the bed experience a fall…
Left with no option, Rob wakes up and immediately starts regretting his reaction a few minutes ago, while helping his dad get up from the floor…
He thinks, if only I had not said that, he may have not injured himself. If only I had helped…
Rob assists his dad and helped him go to the bathroom and back in bed. As Rob prepares to get back to sleep, he starts to question if this is how he wants to deal with the situation forever? He starts thinking about care options available to him that will help him get some baggage off his shoulders and support him to care for his aging dad in a better manner…
When it comes to caregiving, it takes a lot of patience. There may be plenty of time when you feel frustrated or annoyed, but make sure to take a deep breath and address the situation calmly.
If you think you are dealing with a lot more than what you can handle, reach out to help. Let your family members know that you need help. Alternatively, you can always reach out to Inspiration Hospice to help your aging loved ones get the care and attention they deserve. We are just a phone call away!
Benefits of Overnight Care
There are numerous advantages to hire an overnight caregiver.
- Night Time SupervisionWaking up a couple of times is common in seniors. However, this can be frustrating for a caregiver who needs to show up at his job in the morning. An overnight caregiver monitors the senior’s activities and provides assistance when required.
- Mobility AssistanceAn overnight caregiver is able to help a senior with his frequent bathroom breaks during the night. Caregivers are trained to keep the patient safe and comfortable.
- Medical CareSeniors often suffer from multiple medical problems which make it necessary to receive continuous supervision. An experienced overnight caregiver helps aging adults cope with his medical problem comfortably.
- Emotional SupportAs a person grows old, overwhelming depressive thoughts may start coming to the mind. A compassionate caregiver offers the patient necessary emotional support to prevent seniors from injuring themselves in a depressed state.
- Medication SchedulesElderly individuals often forget to take their medications, especially if they live alone. However, it is vital to take certain medications regularly to prevent ill consequences. A caregiver reminds seniors to take their medication on a routine basis.
Importance of Sleep For Family Caregivers
Full night sleep is important for emotional, physical and mental health, not just for the patient but the family caregiver as well.
Jolted awake at 12 am and again at 2 am on a Wednesday morning to assist aging loved one to multiple trips to the bathroom will take a physical toll on a caregiver who must report to work at 9 am.
Studies have shown that caregivers need a good night’s sleep. The National Sleep Foundation reports that “sleep problems among caregivers… takes its toll on the health of the caregiver.” According to a report from the National Alliance for Caregiving, depression, and stress are common in caregivers, and 87% of those surveyed reported problems with their energy levels and sleep.
While some caregivers are unable to sleep through the night due to the stress of their responsibilities, others experience an interrupted sleeping pattern because they need to get up in the middle of the night to assist the patient.
Lack of sleep is a vicious cycle that leaves the caregiver irritable and exhausted. Caregivers who are unable to get enough sleep through the night can experience fatigue, depression, or anxiety. When this happens, it becomes difficult for the caregiver to take good care of the patient.
Here are a few signs that you are not getting adequate rest.
- Confusion upon waking
- Inability to go back to sleep after waking up
- Frequent nightmares
- Insomnia that lasts longer than three weeks
- Regular waking up at night
- Inability to focus on daily activities
For better night sleep, caregivers can follow these tips:
- Keep a regular bedtime and try to maintain it
- Keep the bedroom comfortable, quiet, and at a consistent temperature
- Try relaxation exercises, meditation or a warm bath
- Turn off the electronics
- Get help with caregiving. You can consider hiring overnight caregivers to provide you regular breaks
Sleep should be a priority for the family caregiver as it is not only necessary in order to take care of yourself, but also to provide the best care to the patient.
Inspiration Hospice sends professional caregivers to home, giving family caregivers the much-needed break from their caregiving roles.
Overnight Caregiving Made Easier
One of the easiest ways to deal with the exhaustion of the primary caregiver is to hire a trained caregiver who remains overnight with the patient. This will help the caregiver get some respite and sleep. According to a survey, it was reported that 92% caregivers who opted for overnight hospice services were able to sleep peacefully knowing their loved ones are taken care of.
Families benefit significantly from hiring an overnight caregiver from a reputable home care agency, like Inspiration Hospice. Overnight caregivers give family caregivers immense relief by monitoring their loved ones and proving immediate assistance when required.
Hospice care is focused on helping patients and their families have a better quality of life by preventing and relieving troubling symptoms and side effects of serious illness
At Inspiration Hospice, we offer individuals and families a variety of hospice care services that provide assistance to all ages at any time of the day.