Daily Health News Blog

When a loved one moves into long-term care, there can be numerous losses, including a cherished home, pets, old friends, autonomy, and privacy. You can help with this adjustment in several ways. One valuable thing to do is to communicate with the staff at the new facility as many aspects of your loved one's life as possible. Talk about his or her childhood, family members, work history, interests and skills, religious background, and how he or she copes with different situations This will allow the staff to see your relative as a whole, interesting person, and will guide them in personalizing the attention they give to him or her. This is even more necessary if your loved one is unable to communicate effectively himself or if he is suffering from any disease that might cause behavioral changes. It will also serve as a way to put your loved one at ease, to build rapport with those around him, and to maximize his potential for enjoying all of the programs the facility offers...

As we get older, our sleep needs can change. It is understood that children and adolescents need more sleep than adults, but surprisingly, older adults may also need to get more sleep. It is recommended that seniors get at least seven hours of sleep, but some need up to nine hours per night. Unfortunately, many seniors struggle to get the sleep they need. Sleep disturbances can increase with age. Older adults often find it difficult to fall asleep, and they sleep less deeply. They also tend to wake up more during the night. Older adults also often find that they get sleepier earlier in the evening and if they do not shift their bedtime earlier, they can lose needed sleep time. Why do seniors have these common sleep problems? As you age, your body produces less melatonin, the sleep hormone. You can also become more sensitive to environmental disturbances-temperature, sounds, and light. Finally, seniors have more medical problems, which can lead to unsettled sleep patterns. Poor sleep ca...