| Right from the start of my caregiving years in nursing homes, and home health care, it became a regular trend to find many of those I cared for to be night-owls. |  |
I worked the night shift to the morning hours all the 30+ yrs of my work, and many of the elders were notorious for being up and more active during the night than the day. Some of them developed the habit because of anxieties, pain that kept them awake, or were just naturally inclined to be up at night. I would be frustrated with this trend; but finally learned to except this and "go with the flow". I also learned to see the humor and uniqueness of these folks, and respect their approach to dealing with insomnia. I'd often find them doing all kinds of activities in the middle of the night, from small repairs to something in their room, to watching a movie, or some craft project they enjoyed doing. Now, I am one of them.
During the wee hours it would be typical to find them raiding the refrigerator, fixing themselves a cup of tea and a snack, working on a book, studying, listening to radio talk shows or music, or wanting me to sit and talk with them. At times I'd find several of them together having a group discussion, either in one of their rooms, or even right in the middle of the hall. Many times I sat at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning hearing a story of various family problems, an elderly lady dealing with missing her late husband, a loss of a home, or sit next to the bed of one in chronic pain, and hoping the meds that were given would start to relieve the suffering; prayer was always in the prescription also.
If you are caring for a loved one who has developed problems sleeping at night, it is not uncommon. You may be able to find ways to help them get a full nights rest bey offering a sleeping aid prescribed by their doctor, a hot cup of tea and a snack before they retire, a radio playing by their bedside, or something to read that interests them. But, if they continue with the trend of sleeplessness, you may have to accept it, and do the best you can. I took care of my mother for over 10 years and she also tended to be awake many nights. If I was home on my nights off, and heard her up and rustling about in her room, sometimes I'd get up too, and we'd talk for a while. After a short time, it sometimes worked to help her get back to bed. If not, I just learned that her knowing I was there, and cared for her brought a lot of peace to her. That's what good care giving is all about.
Lorna Couillard
During the wee hours it would be typical to find them raiding the refrigerator, fixing themselves a cup of tea and a snack, working on a book, studying, listening to radio talk shows or music, or wanting me to sit and talk with them. At times I'd find several of them together having a group discussion, either in one of their rooms, or even right in the middle of the hall. Many times I sat at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning hearing a story of various family problems, an elderly lady dealing with missing her late husband, a loss of a home, or sit next to the bed of one in chronic pain, and hoping the meds that were given would start to relieve the suffering; prayer was always in the prescription also.
If you are caring for a loved one who has developed problems sleeping at night, it is not uncommon. You may be able to find ways to help them get a full nights rest bey offering a sleeping aid prescribed by their doctor, a hot cup of tea and a snack before they retire, a radio playing by their bedside, or something to read that interests them. But, if they continue with the trend of sleeplessness, you may have to accept it, and do the best you can. I took care of my mother for over 10 years and she also tended to be awake many nights. If I was home on my nights off, and heard her up and rustling about in her room, sometimes I'd get up too, and we'd talk for a while. After a short time, it sometimes worked to help her get back to bed. If not, I just learned that her knowing I was there, and cared for her brought a lot of peace to her. That's what good care giving is all about.
Lorna Couillard
