Caring For A Senior Shouldn’t Cost You Your Health: Why Sleep Is So Important For Family Caregivers (And How Overnight Care for Seniors Can Help)

Blog  |  February 9, 2022

Caring For A Loved One Shouldn’t Come At The Expense Of Your Health. 

Every year the number of seniors hoping to age in place (at home) continues to increase. Ageing at home is a wonderful option. It helps to ensure better health and longer life for many seniors. But, it is also a choice that requires the support of an in-home caregiver. For many families across Canada, the responsibility to provide in-home senior care falls to them.

Family caregivers play a huge role in families across Canada. As recently as 2018, 25% of people in Canada were caregivers for a family member or friend. That’s nearly 8 million people! Of course, not all family caregivers are caring for a senior loved one.  Even so, seniors do make up a significant number of those receiving in-home care in Canada.

If you are a family caregiver then you know the satisfaction—and weight—that comes with stepping into this role. Balancing your personal and professional life with the needs of a senior loved one is tiring. If the person you are caring for needs round-the-clock care (as many ageing seniors do) the lack of sleep and respite can quickly take a toll on your health and wellness. 

Family Caregivers Who Aren’t Prioritising Sleep And Self-Care Risk Burning Out. 

Being there for your ageing parent or loved one is a wonderful opportunity. But, as their needs increase, you will need support and respite. As much as you want to be there for a loved one, doing it alone isn’t an option without impacting your own health and wellness.

Caregiver Stress (sometimes called Caregiver Burnout) is very real. It happens when the demands of caregiving exceed your capacity. Family caregivers often report feeling frustrated, strained and exhausted trying to be everything to everyone. All this is aggravated when a lack of sleep is thrown into the mix.

Physically, an overtired caregiver can experience:

• higher blood pressure
• weakened immunity 
• weight gain or weight loss
• an increased risk of diabetes
• poor balance and
• aches and pains in joints

There are cognitive and emotional consequences to sleep deprivation as well. These can include:

• memory issues
• trouble thinking and concentrating
• mood changes
• depression and anxiety

When You Are Overtired You Can’t Show Up At Your Best

As a caregiver, it can be hard to prioritize yourself.  But, caring for a loved one shouldn’t come at the expense of your own health. Being physically and mentally tired isn’t doing anyone any favours. The standard of care you are able to provide will slip, the days and nights will feel much harder and shifting moods can take a toll on the relationship you have with your elderly parent or loved one.  Whatsmore, you may put the safety of a senior at risk by being more accident-prone and forgetful.

Bring More Balance To Your Life By Sharing The Responsibility Of Caregiving. 

It’s important to know that you don’t have to take on the role of caregiver alone. Whether your senior loved one needs round-the-clock care or not, putting supports in place so you can get the sleep and respite you need is important. Here are some ideas to help you create a more sustainable plan of care for your elder.

• Call in the family. If you have siblings, aunts, uncles or cousins nearby who could join you in caring for your senior loved one, ask them for help.
• Ask a friend. Many seniors have longtime friends who might be very willing to offer their time. Companionship is an important aspect of care, too.
• Find out about the Caregiver Benefit for Adults. If you live in Ontario, you may be eligible to receive employment insurance to help care for your loved one at home. This can help relieve some of the stress that comes from trying to balance work and caregiving.
• Hire an in-home caregiver. Comfort Keepers Peterborough caregivers offer in-home care for seniors day or night. Having the support of our team gives you the peace of mind you need to step back and care for yourself while we care for your senior loved one.

Overnight Care Makes It Possible To Protect Your Sleep And Prioritize Your Health. 

Providing care and companionship overnight can put a lot of stress on your shoulders. The overnight support of an in-home caregiver benefits everyone. The extra help allows both your loved one and you to get the sleep you need to live a healthier, more balanced life. This, in turn, lets you provide compassionate and positive care to your senior loved one.

During an overnight stay, a caregiver can:

• Help senior clients bathe and change before getting ready for bed.
• Make sure their client has everything they need close by before they turn on for the night.  (Ex. a nightlight, water, a walker, etc…)
• Remove obstacles from hallways and stairs to make nighttime trips to the washroom safer.
• Wake with a senior client to help them turn or transfer. 
• Be there to reassure and comfort a senior who is distressed upon waking. This could be due to anxiety or a condition like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
• Monitor and facilitate taking medications.
• Help a senior client rise for the day.

Overnight care for seniors can be a solution to caregiver burnout. Having someone in-home overnight makes elderly adults and their families feel safer and more confident. And, knowing that someone is there to offer companionship and hands-on support to your senior loved one makes it easier for you to prioritize the self-care and sleep you need.

Overnight Care for Seniors Can Help Family Caregivers Get The Sleep And Respite They Need. 

If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being a family caregiver for a senior parent or loved one, Comfort Keepers Peterborough can help. You don’t have to do it on your own. In fact, for the sake of your health and wellbeing, we hope you won’t. 

Take steps to build a support network. Ask friends and family to help share the responsibility of caring for an ageing parent or family member. And, if you need to bring in additional support, contact Comfort Keepers Peterborough today. Our Overnight Care for Seniors Services will help you and your family get the sleep and respite you need.   Call (705) 243-4042 or click HERE to contact us online. 

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