During the day, providing elder care is relatively straightforward. After all, you can usually be at home and going about your regular tasks while still caring for your elderly loved one’s needs.
You need to rest, but you may be afraid to nod off. What if your loved one wakes in the middle of the night and needs something? What if she tries to get out of bed and falls? What if an Alzheimer's patient wanders off and makes it out of the house without anyone noticing?
There are always worries that can keep you from getting the sleep you need, but with a little effort and preparation, you can gain the peace of mind to close your eyes while your loved one enjoys her sleep as well. Here are a few important tips:
1. Keep mobility-assistance devices beside the bed.
Even if your loved one uses a walker, cane, or wheelchair during the day, she might forget her need for that device in the middle of the night. Keeping it readily accessible will make it easier for her to remember those critical pieces of equipment and make a fall much less likely.
2. Invest in a bed alarm.
If you're not familiar with bed alarms, you may be picturing an alarm that blares in your loved one's room, giving her a fright and summoning you from across the house. Actually, there are a variety of bed alarms on the market that won't even let your loved one know that that the alarm has been activated. Instead, the alarm triggers an alert in your room to let you know that your loved one is up, which will give you time to check on her and make sure that she’s safe.
3. Consider deadbolts at the tops of outside doors.
If you have an elderly loved one who is prone to wandering, look into deadbolts for the tops of doors. Your loved one is less likely to look there, or may no longer be able to reach them. Outside deadbolts at the tops of doors won’t prevent other members of the family from getting outside in the event of an emergency, but they will provide an additional means of protection for your loved one at night. If you’re not comfortable with deadbolts, use an alarm system with a very short delay that will go off quickly if the door is opened in the middle of the night.
4. Clear hallways and pathways across floors.
If your loved one is a fall risk, make sure that the hallways are clear of potential obstructions before you go to bed each night. Put away rugs and attach cords to the wall. Make it easier for her to get to and from the bathroom or kitchen.
5. Give her the tools to summon you.
In the middle of the night, it can be confusing and difficult to even pick up a phone and dial a familiar number. Grant both of you peace of mind by providing your loved one with the means to get your attention: a loud bell, a button that sets off an alarm in your room, or a single speed dial that's programmed to go straight to the cell phone beside your bed.
Nighttime as a caregiver can be challenging. If you're struggling, please
contact us. Sometimes, a few tips or a professional to sit with your loved one may be what you need most.