A few years ago, I realized that my dad needed to move into a care facility instead of living with us. He was always depressed and he needed to be around more people his own age. It was a really difficult decision, but after we moved him into a care facility, he really blossomed. It was great to see him happy, healthy, and enjoying things on his own. This blog is here to help other people to enjoy their own lives and to care for loved ones who need special assistance. I know that with the help of assisted living, everyone can enjoy a better life.
Improving Your Loved One's Nursing Home Experience
How To Help Your Loved One Sleep Better In A Skilled Nursing Facility
Nora Jones
Rest is important to the health of your loved one. In fact, with certain medical conditions, a lack of rest can exacerbate symptoms and possibly even cause a disease to progress. However, if your loved one is in a skilled nursing facility, being in a foreign environment can sometimes cause a disturbance in their rest pattern. Learn what you can do to help your loved one rest better.
Bring Something from Home
Sometimes, it doesn't take much to make a person feel more comfortable, so, you should consider bringing an item to the facility from home. For example, if your loved one kept a quilt on their bed, a quilt from home is a great way to make their bed and their room more comfortable. Even if it's not a sleep item, a picture from home or even a flower can work wonders when it comes to making your loved one feel more settled.
Ask About the Problem
If you notice that your loved one is not resting well, it's best to get to the bottom of the concern. Don't hesitate to ask your loved one why it might be that they feel like they aren't resting well. Maybe they feel like their room is too bright at night, they're overly warm, or they'd like the company of someone else in the room to talk to. All of these issues are concerns that can easily be handled. Speak with one of the facilities staff members about the concern and they'll be more than happy to help.
Monitor Your Visits
You can visit your loved one at any time, but you should be mindful of their schedule. For example, if you regularly visit your loved one at a certain time of the day and you notice they're often sleep when you arrive, don't wake them up. If your schedule permits, it's much better for you to pick another time of the day to visit rather than to disturb their sleep pattern. Remember, making sure your loved one is healthy is most important.
Encourage Involvement
If your loved one was active before they entered the skilled nursing facility, the reason they might not be able to sleep well at night is leftover energy they weren't able to expel during the day. While your loved one might not be able to engage the same way they did when they lived independently, many facilities have a host of activities for the residents to enjoy throughout the day. Look over the schedule and encourage your loved one to get involved in activities for which they have an interest.
Over time, your loved one will become more comfortable in the skilled nursing facility, and it will eventually feel like home. However, during the process, these tips can help your loved one rest better every day.
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