The Importance of Getting Your Sleep
A good night's sleep can do wonders for your mood, mind, and physical health. However, feeling rested can seem more and more elusive as you get older. Getting enough sleep is a major part of healthy aging in the senior years, and finding the right habits can help you, or your aging loved one, find restful sleep sooner than later. 

Without proper sleep, seniors can demonstrate impaired judgment, forgetfulness, and can become physically ill more easily. If you or your loved one seems to be struggling with getting restful sleep at night, you might find some relief by making conscious decisions to implement healthy sleep habits. While sleep habits are unique and should be based on individual preference, there are a few tips you can start with in your quest to find a better night's sleep. 

Read on to get a few of our favorites, and hit the pillow with more confidence. Remember, if you are struggling to get your aging loved one in a restful sleep routine, you may just need a bit of help from a consistent caregiver. Give us a call to find out how we can best assist you and your loved one.
Healthy Sleep Habits

Many seniors have difficulties getting a restful night's sleep. While some of the issue stems from medical conditions caused by aging and other complex diagnoses, seniors find a good night's sleep elusive because of poor habits or decreased activity. Here are just a few tips that may help you, or your aging loved one, get the sleep they deserve.

Resist napping
If you or your loved one aren't sleeping well at night, an afternoon nap can feel like a welcome event. However, napping daily can confuse your body and make it harder to sleep fitfully at night. Napping quickly becomes a habit, and sometimes seniors find themselves napping not out of necessity, but out of boredom. If your loved one is snoozing because they are bored, a social visit with a friend or a Visiting Angels caregiver is more cognitively stimulating and a healthier way to pass the time.

If you must have a nap, do so occasionally and resist making it a daily occurrence. Further, keep naps to less than 60 minutes; these "power naps" recharge the body without doing damage to nighttime routines.

Move your body daily
An active body during the day makes for a tired body at night. For those seniors with insomnia or difficulty falling asleep, staying active during the day can be especially helpful for catching some much needed sleep. Don't worry - daily activity doesn't have to be strenuous to be effective; try encouraging your loved one to take a daily walk around the neighborhood or to take a daily exercise class at the local senior center.

Keep a consistent bedtime and routine
Research has been showing the importance of consistent nighttime routines for people of all ages. If your loved one doesn't have an evening routine before bed, encourage them to start one! The body and brain will begin to unwind and relax easier with cues in a regular routine showing that it is time for bed. Try something simple like changing into comfortable pajamas before reading in bed, or having a cup of calming tea in the kitchen before bed.

Part of a successful bedtime routine is performing physical tasks like changing into pajamas, bathing, or going to the restroom. If you find that your loved one neglects these tasks more often than not because it is just too difficult and they are too tired, one of our Visiting Angels can provide the support you need to develop a safe and healthy bedtime routine.

Talk to your doctor
Finally, if your loved one is having problems getting to sleep or staying asleep, talk to the doctor about it. Sleep disruptions can often be a sign of other health problems, and your loved one's doctor can give you advice and follow up care to get them the rest they need.

Upcoming Support Groups

Join a group of peers to relate personal experiences, learn about coping strategies, and discover resources.

Caregiver Support Group
A partnership between Florida Hospital North Pinellas & Visiting Angels of Tarpon Springs
For caregivers coping with aging loved ones and the chronic conditions that sometimes accompany the aging process - Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, stroke, diabetes, and other health related topics.

2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 10am-11am
Upcoming dates: August 9 and 23

Location:  Dunkin' Donuts Conference Room
               1143 South Pinellas Avenue
               Tarpon Springs, FL 
Reservations are required; please call 727-943-3600.

Thank you to our first Visiting Angels Friend, Carol Durkin for donating to our Clearwater Walk from our Monthly Caregiver Support Group!  
Learn more about how you can donate or get involved below!
Join Us as We Walk to End Alzheimer's 


2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's & Visiting Angels
Alzheimer's Association of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
 
Mark your Calendars for these 2 exciting walks & join your local Visiting Angels on either of these days!  Learn more about each event on our Facebook Events page.
 
Event Details:
2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Pinellas County, FL
Location: Bright House Field
Date: 10/28/2017
Your Team: Visiting Angels West - Covering Pasco & North Pinellas Counties
 
Event Details:
2017 Walk to End Alzheimer's - Tampa, FL
Location: Amalie Arena
Date: 11/18/2017
Your Team: Visiting Angels East - Covering the Tampa Bay Communities

Thank you to our first Visiting Angels Friend, Carol Durkin for donating to our Clearwater Walk from our Monthly Caregiver Support Group!  Carol is a full time caregiver for her Mom in Holiday, and appreciates what Visiting Angels is doing to spread awareness on Alzheimer's, importance of research and raising monies for the 2017 End to Alzheimer's Walks!   

For client and business partners that would like to donate to the Walks, please use the 2 links below. We would love your support!
 


Office News

We love working with other senior care providers to bring unique and fun events for local older adults to enjoy. Our team was recently able to do that for a 4th of July celebration.

Arbor Terrace of Citrus Park & Visiting Angels of Tampa Bay partnered together to provide a July 4th Celebration for the residents who live there.  Lee Gainer, Visiting Angels Director of Client Services of Tampa & East Pasco Communities, delivered a great barbecue to the residents of Arbor Terrace, an Assisted Living & Alzheimer Memory Care Facility - 13810 Sheldon Road in Tampa, Florida.

A fun time was had by all; the residents and the staff members enjoyed the food and the company. We loved having the chance to celebrate together!
Join Our Team

Visiting Angels - CNAs & HHAs Needed Immediately!

Call TODAY  at 727-841-8440 or 813-909-2550 

22 North Safford Avenue - Tarpon Springs , NR 30211483
4124 Linebaugh Avenue - Tampa , NR 30211426
 
Visiting Angels continues to grow and has an immediate need for qualified CNAs and HHAs throughout Hillsborough, Pasco & Pinellas Counties to join our registry .
  • Shifts ranging from 2 to 24 hours 
  • Many Shifts Available immediately 
  • Live - In Shifts Available 
  • $25 Bonus for NEW Caregiver that registers with all required credentials on day of Interview
  • $50 Referral for an Existing Visiting Angels Caregiver who refers someone after they work 40+ hours
Apply online for our Tampa location here, and for our Pasco location here.
Visiting Angels of North Pinellas/Pasco County
22 N Safford Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727.841.8440
NR 30211483

Visiting Angels of Tampa
4124 W. Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33618
813.909.2550
NR 30211426

We care every day in every way!