6 Reasons a Good Night’s Rest Is Vital for Caregivers

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Reasons Caregivers Need a Good Night's Rest in Tucson, AZ

Caregivers can’t effectively take care of their senior loved one unless they take care of themselves first. However, many caregivers forget this simple fact and work themselves to the point of exhaustion. Here are 6 reasons caregivers need a good night’s sleep.

1. Boosts Brain Health

When the body is asleep, the brain forms the pathways that allow people to create new memories and retain information. When caregivers don’t get enough sleep, they limit the brain’s ability to restore and recharge. However, this isn’t the only way sleep deficiencies affect the brain. Caregivers who don’t get enough rest may notice they have a more difficult time solving problems or making decisions. As these skills are often crucial for caregivers, it’s important they’re not impaired by lack of sleep.

Family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties to get some rest should consider professional in-home care. If you are the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Tucson, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.

2. Ensures Safety

Caregivers are often responsible for taking their loved one to doctor’s appointments and physical therapy sessions. Drivers who don’t get adequate sleep are much more likely to get into car accidents. Some research suggests that sleep deprived drivers are nearly as dangerous as drunk drivers. To maintain safety on the road, caregivers should aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

3. Increases Physical Health

Sleep doesn’t just impair cognitive health. It also impacts physical health, as the heart and blood vessels repair themselves over night. Sleep-deprived people are more likely to experience heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions. Caregivers need to remain in good physical health, both for their loved ones and for themselves. If they let their health decrease, caregiving tasks like transferring seniors in and out of chairs could become much more difficult. Caregivers should also strive to stay healthy for personal reasons. If they don’t get enough sleep, they may experience burnout.

If the lack of sleep is making it difficult for you to provide care to your loved one, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Although it may be challenging to find a reliable, highly rated home care company, Tucson, AZ, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise. 

4. Strengthens Immunity

Lack of sleep can impair the immune system. Without adequate sleep, the immune system may not be able to effectively remove harmful substances and infections, which could make caregivers susceptible to the common cold or the annual flu strain.

5. Prevents Mood Disorders

Sleep is especially important for caregivers with emotional health concerns like depression and anxiety. Without sleep, the body has a difficult time regulating the neurotransmitters that affect mood and emotional health.

6. Promotes Socialization

Sleep-deprived caregivers often notice their social abilities are diminished, since lack of sleep inhibits the ability to understand social cues. Caregivers need to be empathetic and considerate of their loved ones, and they need to be assertive and proactive when communicating with doctors and other healthcare professionals. Navigating the caregiving process often requires excellent social skills. Caregivers who don’t get their nightly eight hours of sleep are simply making their jobs more difficult.

Hiring a professional caregiver is one of the best ways to take a break from your caregiving duties to relax and recharge. If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and want additional assistance from a professional caregiver, Tucson Home Care Assistance is here to help. Our caregivers are available for a few hours a day to help seniors with daily tasks, and we also offer 24-hour live-in care for those who need more extensive assistance. To hire a professional in-home care expert, call us at (520) 276-6555 today.

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