Summer Sleeping Advice for Care Residents

As we get older, it can become more challenging to get a good night's sleep, especially in a hot summer. The increased hours of daylight and the heat of some evenings can really disrupt sleep for some, often leading to a variety of physical and mental health problems. This blog post will provide some tips for care residents who can’t sleep in the summer heat.

Why Care Home Residents and the Elderly Sometimes Struggle with Sleep

There are several reasons why care home residents and the elderly may struggle to sleep in the summer. These include:

The heat

The heat can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Often if you’re feeling hot or uncomfortable from not keeping cool during the day in warm weather, the difficulties will carry on through to the evening.

The increased hours of daylight

The longer days in summer can make it harder to fall asleep at night. This is because our bodies are naturally programmed to sleep when it is dark.

Health conditions

Some health conditions, such as dementia, can make it difficult to sleep.

Medications

Older people are more likely to be on certain medications which can also interfere with sleep.

Summer Sleeping Tips for Care Homes

Here are some tips for care home managers to help their residents get a good night's sleep in the summer:

• Keep bedrooms cool and dark: The ideal temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit or around 20 degrees Celsius. If the bedrooms are too hot, try using fans or air conditioners. You can also block out the sun with blackout curtains or blinds.
• Maintain sleeping routines: Even though the days are longer in summer, try to keep residents on their usual sleep schedules. This will help to regulate their body's natural sleep-wake cycle.
• Take a warm bath or shower before bed: The heat from the water can help to relax muscles and make it easier to fall asleep.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine: This could include reading, taking a warm bath, or listening to calming music. Avoid watching TV or using electronic devices in bed, as the blue light emitted from these devices can interfere with sleep.
• Get regular exercise: Exercise can help to improve sleep quality, but it's important to avoid exercising too close to bedtime. Aim to finish your workout at least 3 hours before you go to bed.
• Work with residents to create a sleep plan: Care teams can help residents identify any factors that may be disrupting their sleep and develop strategies to address them.
• Make sure bedrooms are comfortable and conducive to sleep: This includes having a comfortable mattress, pillows, and bed sheets. Creating a chilled environment is imperative to a good night’s sleep.
• Take naps during the day: If needed, encourage residents to have some 20-minute power naps to avoid stress and promote calmness. However, avoid napping for too long, this can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day can help to prevent dehydration, which can make it difficult to sleep.

Following these tips can help care residents to get a good night's sleep in the summer. If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor or care team.

How Renray Healthcare Can Help

At Renray Healthcare, we have over 50 years' experience in designing and supplying care home furniture. So, with our bespoke and customisable range of furniture products, we can help you to build the perfect bedroom for care residents that offer lasting comfort all year round. You can even see this for yourself by checking out our brochures today!

Finally, you can also read another summer article on seasonal furniture for care homes here.