Overnight Anxiety and Confusion in Seniors

As seniors age in place, they may find that eventually they start to have more trouble overnight, especially with anxiety and confusion. These issues can make them feel uncomfortable at night and if they live alone, they might reach out to friends and family members a lot more often. One solution that can be really helpful is to consider 24-hour home care services to make sure seniors have support whenever they need it.

How Can Families Tell Seniors Are Anxious at Night?

Sometimes the signs of overnight anxiety are subtle, like seniors expressing concern about small things as the evening progresses. If seniors live alone, they might call friends or family members, asking them questions that don’t seem important but that seniors insist can’t wait. Seniors might also mention that they have trouble sleeping or that they worry a lot overnight. Other signs might include pacing, crying, or following family caregivers around.

Causes of Overnight Anxiety

Overnight anxiety can have a variety of different causes, especially if seniors are also experiencing cognitive changes or dealing with other health issues. Side effects from medications, overstimulation, fatigue, and even dehydration can all play a role in nighttime anxiety. If seniors have a few days of disrupted sleep or are coming down with something, they might also experience confusion and anxiety at night.

Check Dietary Causes

Some of the foods and drinks seniors ingest can have a big impact on how they feel for the rest of the day and even overnight. Caffeine and sugar consumed too late in the day can contribute to anxiety and other problems overnight. Other foods and beverages might also have an impact, especially if seniors consume too much of them. Keeping a food diary can sometimes help seniors figure out what’s happening, and home care providers can help with that.

Improve Sleep Hygiene

One of the issues that seniors might face when they start to experience trouble overnight is that it carries over into the daytime. Seniors might start taking longer naps or napping later in the day, which can make problems with anxiety overnight worse. Getting up at a consistent time in the morning and setting a bedtime that makes sense gives seniors a better shot at correcting their sleep hygiene issues.

Establish Calming Evening Routines

Another way to help seniors develop better sleep hygiene is to put together calming evening routines that trigger relaxation for seniors. Playing calming music, taking a soothing shower or bath, and engaging in activities that seniors find relaxing can all be a great fit for helping them to ease into a good night’s sleep. 24-hour home care providers can help seniors to figure out which activities are most relaxing for them.

Get Help from 24-hour Home Care Services

As much as they want to be there all the time for the seniors they love, family caregivers have to sleep and take care of other obligations. When those issues are ones like anxiety and confusion overnight, family caregivers may be unable to keep up with the needs of their aging family members. 24-hour home care providers can take over during the overnight hours and make sure that seniors have support when family caregivers may not be able to be there.

Anxiety and confusion overnight can be a massive problem for aging adults and family caregivers. 24-hour home care services can help families to work out solutions that can help immensely.

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-hour home care in Ahwatukee, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!