Residents in care homes require constant care. The facility should provide care even if the lights are turned off and the residents are asleep.
Many people are concerned about the possibility of moving into care homes. It is possible to lack trust in the beginning. One of the biggest grievances is not being able to sleep in your own bed. It can provide a lot comfort, and some people might even imagine themselves dying beneath their duvets.
There is a lot at stake when it comes to ensuring that residents of care homes get a good night’s rest. There are many ways that you can ensure this happens if you manage one of these facilities. For the best strategies to achieve this goal, read on.
Assess the Patient’s Needs
Each resident of a care home is unique. Each resident will have their own unique needs.
Assessing patient needs is the first step. There are many things you should consider.
- It does not matter if the resident is suffering from chronic pain.
- Whether the resident has dementia, Alzheimer’s or other medical conditions that make them active at night.
- If the resident is frequently in need of the toilet.
There are many severity levels. They can all disrupt a person’s sleep pattern and are not to be taken lightly. Be aware of the medication instructions and notes from your doctor and be ready to adjust. It is vital for patients to feel supported and not be alone.
Communication practices are also important. Daytime staff might need to notify the nighttime crew if a patient has forgotten to take their medication or refused to take it for any reason. The staff who care for patients while they sleep will be better equipped to assist them. Patients’ needs change constantly!
Get the right equipment
A good selection of equipment is essential for getting a good night’s rest. A well-stocked care home can better meet the needs of residents.
NHC, for example, offers bumpers and bed wedges to help you sleep more comfortably. Better posture reduces soreness and snoring. The bumpers also prevent seniors from falling out of their beds at night. Both of these items can provide more security and help ensure that residents of care homes have a good night’s sleep.
Sometimes, care homes can be equipped with lower beds. This makes it easier for them to enter and exit and reduces the risk of falling if they do fall. A combination of adjustable beds and other options can help improve posture.
Take a look at environmental conditions
However, not all sleeping patterns are affected by medical conditions. The most common types of disruptions will still need to addressed.
The care facility will require that people move about the place at all times, but they must do so in a quiet manner. It may be worth having maintenance done if the floorboards creak. You may need to replace the carpet in some areas. There are many types of carpet that can reduce footsteps.
It is a good idea to stop using buzzers and bells. Instead, you should look for silent alternatives to nighttime alarms. This can be done using digital communication software on smart devices or computers.
Everyone can benefit from monitoring lighting. Any lighting that is too bright can cause chaos. You should create a more homely, intimate atmosphere than a bright, clinical environment. It might be a good idea to install dimmer switches in the vicinity to allow residents to adjust the brightness to their preference. Some people like to sleep with the lights on, while others prefer to have them off.
Provide Daytime Stimulus
Many care homes are stereotyped to be dull and dreary. Your care home may be one of these. Residents will tend to nap all day and have a difficult time sleeping.
Activities throughout the day will keep them engaged and can also help to ensure that they get enough sleep to recover later. It’s a good idea to review the activities offered by your facility.
Residents can have fun with art, gardening, and even singing along. Residents can make new friends, learn new skills, and their minds can be stimulated by physical activity.
To get everyone out together and having fun, it is possible to take short trips. It creates an opportunity to interact with the community. Residents may feel more at ease sleeping at night after all this stimulation.