Homecare in Memorial TX
There are many ways safety can be compromised for seniors, even within the comfort of their own home. Insomnia is one of them.
For most healthier, younger, stronger adults, a lack of sleep may not be something to consider, especially with regard to safety. They have little difficulty maintaining their balance throughout the day, even if they don’t get a good night’s sleep for several days in a row.
For seniors, the same may not be true. Here are three ways that insomnia, or extreme difficulty sleeping, can impact safety.
1. Weakness.
As people get older they will continue to lose muscle mass each year. That would lead to weakness naturally. When somebody has difficulty sleeping, their body isn’t getting the chance to rest it needs.
That can lead to even more weakness, especially in the legs. If a senior has difficulty sleeping at night, he or she may find it more difficult to climb the stairs or even go down them. This weakness can increase the risk of falls, and that can increase the chances of serious injuries.
2. A loss of focus.
When we don’t get enough sleep at night, we may have trouble focusing on various tasks at hand. It could be when you’re behind the wheel, at work, or while cooking.
When an elderly person suddenly begins having difficulty with their focus, they could become forgetful, walk out of the kitchen while cooking, forgetting they had something on the stove, or suddenly begin daydreaming while cutting up vegetables.
This loss of focus can lead to missed appointments, accidents, injuries, and worse.
3. Forgetfulness.
Being forgetful can happen to people of any age. When somebody is not sleeping properly at night, they may become even more forgetful.
If the senior steps outside to go to the store, he or she may forget what they were doing in the first place. They could become disoriented, wander off, and get lost.
More likely, though, forgetfulness in this type of scenario may have more to do with keeping track of appointments, prescription medications, and other things they should be doing for their overall health and well-being.
No family member or friend should diagnose insomnia themselves. This is a serious condition that should only be diagnosed by a trained medical professional, such as a doctor. It may have to do with certain side effects from medications or some other health issue that needs to be directly addressed.
If it’s clear a senior is not sleeping as well as he or she should at night, it’s time to talk to them about it and encourage them to see their doctor as soon as possible.
If you or an aging loved one are considering homecare in Memorial, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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