{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-blog-post-js","path":"/blog/sleep-problems-in-older-adults-causes-and-home-based-solutions/","result":{"data":{"ghostPost":{"html":"

A bad night's sleep is miserable at any age. In later life, it can be more than that. Poor sleep drains energy and lifts anxiety, but it also raises the risk of falls, clouds memory and concentration, lowers mood, and makes existing health problems harder to manage. And when an older person is awake and restless at night, the whole household often loses sleep with them.

The encouraging news is that sleep problems are rarely inevitable, and there is a great deal that can help. Here is what tends to disturb sleep in later life, and what actually works at home.

Sleep does change with age

\"\"

Some changes are simply part of getting older. As we age, sleep tends to become lighter and more easily broken, and many older people find themselves waking more often in the night, going to bed and waking earlier, and napping more during the day.

The total amount of sleep needed does not really change much, but the ability to get it in one solid, uninterrupted block often does. So some disruption is normal. Persistent, exhausting, quality-of-life-sapping sleeplessness, however, is not something anyone should just have to put up with.

Common causes of poor sleep in later life

\"\"

Sleep problems usually have a reason, and finding it is the key to fixing it. Common culprits include:

Home-based solutions that genuinely help

\"\"

Most of what helps is simple and practical, and it tends to work best when done consistently.

Keep a steady routine. Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same times each day, even at weekends, does more for sleep than almost anything else.

Get daylight and activity into the day. Natural light, especially in the morning, and some gentle exercise help set the body clock and build a healthy tiredness by evening.

Be thoughtful about napping. A short early-afternoon rest is fine. Long or late naps are not, as they steal from the night.

Make the bedroom right for sleep. Cool, dark, quiet and comfortable. Blackout curtains, a good mattress, and a bedroom kept for sleeping rather than for daytime living all help.

Wind down properly. A calm hour before bed, with a warm drink, a bath, some music or a book, tells the body that sleep is coming. Screens and bright light in the last hour do the opposite.

Watch the evening food and drink. Caffeine well before bedtime, alcohol in moderation, and no heavy late meals. Cutting fluids down a little in the evening can also reduce night-time trips to the toilet, though hydration through the day still matters.

Deal with pain. If discomfort is the culprit, speak to a GP or pharmacist. There is often more that can be done.

Make night-time trips safe. Since getting to the bathroom in the dark is a common cause of falls, good lighting, a clear path and a night light are essential.

Ease the mind. Company, conversation and a sense of purpose during the day help settle anxieties that would otherwise surface at 3am.

When to speak to a GP

\"\"

Some sleep problems need medical attention rather than a change of routine. It is worth speaking to a GP if your loved one:

It is also worth reviewing medications with a GP or pharmacist, as timing changes can sometimes make a real difference. And a gentle word of caution: sleeping tablets are not usually a good long-term answer for older adults, as they can increase the risk of falls and confusion, so they should only ever be used under a doctor's guidance.

How live-in care helps

\"\"

Sleep is one of the areas where having someone in the home makes a genuine difference, in both directions.

A live-in carer helps build the daily rhythm that supports good sleep: a consistent routine, daylight and activity during the day, sensible napping, good meals, a calm evening wind-down, and company that keeps the mind settled. They also help make night-time safer, so a trip to the bathroom does not become a fall.

And if your loved one does wake in the night, they are not alone. Their carer is there, ready to help them to the bathroom, ease discomfort, or simply offer a reassuring presence in the small hours, which for someone who becomes frightened or disoriented at night can be worth more than anything. Our guide to night-time care explains more about how this works.

There is a benefit for families here too. If you have been the one getting up in the night, or lying awake worrying, live-in care means you can finally get some rest as well.

Better nights, better days

Good sleep is not a luxury. It is one of the foundations of health, safety and happiness in later life. With the right routines, the right support, and medical advice where it is needed, most older people can sleep considerably better than they are.

If sleepless nights are taking their toll on your loved one, or on you, we would be glad to talk through how we could help.

Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900.

This guide offers general information and is not medical advice. If your loved one has persistent sleep problems, or you are concerned about their health, please speak to their GP.

","html_sections":{"json":[{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"A bad night's sleep is miserable at any age. In later life, it can be more than that. Poor sleep drains energy and lifts anxiety, but it also raises the risk of falls, clouds memory and concentration, lowers mood, and makes existing health problems harder to manage. And when an older person is awake and restless at night, the whole household often loses sleep with them.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"The encouraging news is that sleep problems are rarely inevitable, and there is a great deal that can help. Here is what tends to disturb sleep in later life, and what actually works at home.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Sleep does change with age","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"sleep-does-change-with-age"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Some changes are simply part of getting older. As we age, sleep tends to become lighter and more easily broken, and many older people find themselves waking more often in the night, going to bed and waking earlier, and napping more during the day.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"The total amount of sleep needed does not really change much, but the ability to get it in one solid, uninterrupted block often does. So some disruption is normal. Persistent, exhausting, quality-of-life-sapping sleeplessness, however, is not something anyone should just have to put up with.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Common causes of poor sleep in later life","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"common-causes-of-poor-sleep-in-later-life"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Sleep problems usually have a reason, and finding it is the key to fixing it. Common culprits include:","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"UL","innerHtml":"
  • Pain and discomfort, from arthritis, cramp or other long-term conditions.
  • Needing the toilet in the night, one of the most frequent causes of broken sleep in older people.
  • Medication, as some medicines interfere with sleep, or need to be taken at times that disturb it.
  • Health conditions, including heart and lung problems, restless legs, and sleep apnoea, where breathing is interrupted during sleep, often with loud snoring.
  • Anxiety, low mood or depression, which very often show up first as poor sleep.
  • Dementia, which can disrupt the body clock and cause restlessness or agitation in the late afternoon and evening, sometimes called sundowning.
  • Inactivity and too little daylight, which weaken the natural sleep and wake rhythm.
  • Daytime napping, which can be lovely, but too much, or too late in the day, borrows from the night.
  • Loneliness and boredom, which can make evenings long and nights restless.
  • Alcohol, caffeine or a heavy meal late in the day.
    • ","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Home-based solutions that genuinely help","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"home-based-solutions-that-genuinely-help"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Most of what helps is simple and practical, and it tends to work best when done consistently.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Keep a steady routine. Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same times each day, even at weekends, does more for sleep than almost anything else.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Get daylight and activity into the day. Natural light, especially in the morning, and some gentle exercise help set the body clock and build a healthy tiredness by evening.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Be thoughtful about napping. A short early-afternoon rest is fine. Long or late naps are not, as they steal from the night.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Make the bedroom right for sleep. Cool, dark, quiet and comfortable. Blackout curtains, a good mattress, and a bedroom kept for sleeping rather than for daytime living all help.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Wind down properly. A calm hour before bed, with a warm drink, a bath, some music or a book, tells the body that sleep is coming. Screens and bright light in the last hour do the opposite.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Watch the evening food and drink. Caffeine well before bedtime, alcohol in moderation, and no heavy late meals. Cutting fluids down a little in the evening can also reduce night-time trips to the toilet, though hydration through the day still matters.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Deal with pain. If discomfort is the culprit, speak to a GP or pharmacist. There is often more that can be done.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Make night-time trips safe. Since getting to the bathroom in the dark is a common cause of falls, good lighting, a clear path and a night light are essential.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Ease the mind. Company, conversation and a sense of purpose during the day help settle anxieties that would otherwise surface at 3am.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"When to speak to a GP","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"when-to-speak-to-a-gp"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Some sleep problems need medical attention rather than a change of routine. It is worth speaking to a GP if your loved one:","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"UL","innerHtml":"
  • snores loudly and seems to stop breathing or gasp in their sleep, which can indicate sleep apnoea
  • is in pain at night
  • seems low, anxious or depressed
  • is excessively sleepy during the day
  • has had a sudden or significant change in their sleep
  • may be affected by their medication
    • ","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"It is also worth reviewing medications with a GP or pharmacist, as timing changes can sometimes make a real difference. And a gentle word of caution: sleeping tablets are not usually a good long-term answer for older adults, as they can increase the risk of falls and confusion, so they should only ever be used under a doctor's guidance.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"How live-in care helps","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"how-live-in-care-helps"}},{"tagName":"FIGURE","innerHtml":"\"\"","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":"kg-card kg-image-card","id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Sleep is one of the areas where having someone in the home makes a genuine difference, in both directions.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"A live-in carer helps build the daily rhythm that supports good sleep: a consistent routine, daylight and activity during the day, sensible napping, good meals, a calm evening wind-down, and company that keeps the mind settled. They also help make night-time safer, so a trip to the bathroom does not become a fall.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"And if your loved one does wake in the night, they are not alone. Their carer is there, ready to help them to the bathroom, ease discomfort, or simply offer a reassuring presence in the small hours, which for someone who becomes frightened or disoriented at night can be worth more than anything. Our guide to night-time care explains more about how this works.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"There is a benefit for families here too. If you have been the one getting up in the night, or lying awake worrying, live-in care means you can finally get some rest as well.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"H2","innerHtml":"Better nights, better days","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":"better-nights-better-days"}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Good sleep is not a luxury. It is one of the foundations of health, safety and happiness in later life. With the right routines, the right support, and medical advice where it is needed, most older people can sleep considerably better than they are.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"If sleepless nights are taking their toll on your loved one, or on you, we would be glad to talk through how we could help.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"Book a free care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}},{"tagName":"P","innerHtml":"This guide offers general information and is not medical advice. If your loved one has persistent sleep problems, or you are concerned about their health, please speak to their GP.","attributes":{"data_edyn_component":null,"data_edyn_url":null,"class":null,"id":null}}]},"title":"Sleep problems in older adults: causes and home-based solutions","primary_tag":{"name":"Safety, health and wellbeing"},"slug":"sleep-problems-in-older-adults-causes-and-home-based-solutions","published_at":"15 Jul 2026","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/28380/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/76f01/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"primary_author":{"bio":"Communications and Marketing Lead","name":"Jamie Shie","profile_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#383838","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/2e55b/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png","srcSet":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/5fbde/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 132w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/6672c/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 264w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/2e55b/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.png 528w","sizes":"(min-width: 528px) 528px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/df6d7/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 132w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/5bda5/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 264w,\n/static/4ce69bfa95322a3b177d8c8b946cc319/3155f/Screenshot-2026-06-22-at-09.28.27.webp 528w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 528px) 528px, 100vw"}]},"width":528,"height":466}}}}},"relatedPosts":{"nodes":[{"title":"Sleep problems in older adults: causes and home-based solutions","slug":"sleep-problems-in-older-adults-causes-and-home-based-solutions","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/28380/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/3c646/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/76f01/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 500w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/767036c9dbd1ed1a2fcd43da41fa19f2/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"A bad night's sleep is miserable at any age. In later life, it can be more than that. Poor sleep drains energy and lifts anxiety, but it also raises the risk of falls, clouds memory and concentration, lowers mood, and makes existing health problems harder to manage. And when an older person is awake and restless at night, the whole household often loses sleep with them.\n\nThe encouraging news is that sleep problems are rarely inevitable, and there is a great deal that can help. Here is what tends","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Companionship as care: why loneliness is a health issue too","slug":"companionship-as-care-why-loneliness-is-a-health-issue-too","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/28380/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/3c646/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/76f01/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ced33bbafbaae2eecd708e399c1017a7/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-2V97EL093go-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"When families think about care, they usually think about the practical things: help with washing and dressing, medication, meals, mobility, safety. All of it matters enormously. But there is another part of care that is easy to underestimate, and it may be just as important to your loved one's health as any of it.\n\nCompanionship.\n\nIt is tempting to think of company as a pleasant extra, the nice-to-have that sits alongside the \"real\" care. The evidence says otherwise. Loneliness is not just sad. ","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Dehydration in older adults: a commonly missed risk at home","slug":"dehydration-in-older-adults-a-commonly-missed-risk-at-home","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/3c646/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg","srcSet":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/28380/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 500w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/6e54a/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 1000w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/3c646/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/76f01/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 500w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/bd81f/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 1000w,\n/static/91fce8d9f4cba941c106264f7e668d8a/1c6e9/AdobeStock_191953491--1-.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"Of all the risks facing an older person living at home, dehydration is one of the most common, one of the most serious, and one of the easiest to miss entirely. It rarely announces itself. It creeps up quietly, and by the time it becomes obvious, real harm may already have been done.\n\nThe good news is that it is very preventable, once you know what to look for. Here is why older adults are so vulnerable to dehydration, the signs that are so easily missed, and what genuinely helps at home.\n\n\nWhy ","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"UTIs and sudden confusion in older adults: why it is often mistaken for dementia","slug":"utis-and-sudden-confusion-in-older-adults-why-it-is-often-mistaken-for-dementia","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/3c646/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/28380/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/3c646/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/76f01/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/efa871d5c6693a842238062af134172f/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-kb0dClMo6CI-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"It is a scene that plays out in families all the time. A parent who was perfectly sharp last week is suddenly muddled. They do not know what day it is. They seem agitated, or unusually drowsy. They say things that make no sense, or seem not to recognise where they are.\n\nThe family's heart sinks, because there seems to be only one explanation. Dementia. It has finally arrived, or taken a sudden turn for the worse.\n\nBut very often, that is not what is happening at all. And knowing the difference i","published_at":"15 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Winter safety for older adults","slug":"winter-safety-for-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#180808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/94182/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/26cfb/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/826b9/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/94182/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/921bf/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/323e8/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/e415430833396a9c1bb3078f6b1a5ed1/9181c/getty-images-uSPGbVTywck-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1331}}},"excerpt":"Winter has its own quiet beauty, but for older adults the colder months bring some very real risks. Cold weather is harder on the ageing body than many people realise, and it comes bundled with slippery pavements, dark afternoons, and the seasonal bugs that tend to hit older people hardest.\n\nWith a little preparation and care, though, these risks can be managed, and your loved one can stay safe, warm and well right through to spring. Here is how to help them through the winter.\n\n\nWhy winter is r","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Long-distance caregiving: staying involved when you live far away","slug":"long-distance-caregiving-staying-involved-when-you-live-far-away","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#080808","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/f19bc/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/26cfb/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/1b035/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/f19bc/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/921bf/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/b7ef5/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ed4975169b26131f671120539a26c6b8/c9c6a/centre-for-ageing-better-DkDOb9u_1cA-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Caring for a loved one when you live far away, in another city, or even another country, comes with its own particular ache. There is the worry of not being there, the guilt that quietly follows you around, and the frustrating sense of being out of the loop, never quite sure how your parent or relative is really doing.\n\nIf you are a long-distance caregiver, you carry a great deal, often silently. The reassuring truth is that there is a lot you can do to stay genuinely involved, and genuinely rea","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Heatwave safety for older adults","slug":"heatwave-safety-for-older-adults","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/f19bc/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/26cfb/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/1b035/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/f19bc/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/921bf/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/b7ef5/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/619608ba6e7edd1afbecb2eeab78c382/c9c6a/a-c-iVfZ6sA_xhg-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"When the summer sun arrives, it is tempting to think of hot weather as nothing but a treat. But for older adults, a heatwave can be genuinely dangerous. Our bodies become less able to cope with heat as we age, and every summer, hot spells pose real risks to older people's health.\n\nThe reassuring news is that, with a little awareness and some simple steps, those risks can be greatly reduced. Here is how to help an older loved one stay safe, cool and well when the temperature climbs.\n\n\nWhy older a","published_at":"09 Jul 2026"},{"title":"How do we keep your loved one's money safe?","slug":"how-do-we-keep-your-loved-ones-money-safe","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#c8d8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/dbd40/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/d3119/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/26b49/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/dbd40/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/cd07d/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/bf95e/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/e1f1e7c18c3ea6d71c52652a18e7a478/d36eb/vitaly-gariev-KEBUtOS3yFc-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1125}}},"excerpt":"Trusting someone to come into your loved one's home sometimes means trusting them around money too, for the weekly shop, perhaps, or a small errand. It is completely natural to want to know how that is handled, and to be sure your loved one's money is safe.\n\nIt is something we have thought about very carefully, and built real safeguards around. These protect your loved one, protect their finances, and protect everyone involved from any misunderstanding. Here is how it works.\n\n\nOnly when it is ne","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Moving and handling: how our carers keep your loved one safe and mobile","slug":"moving-and-handling-how-our-carers-keep-your-loved-one-safe-and-mobile","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/81791/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/cf2d1/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/b3b6f/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/81791/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/d731e/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/993a1/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/ab21297b081ff715db9be1ff098ded77/fe213/getty-images-meSXWwLc11A-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1329}}},"excerpt":"As we get older, the everyday movements most of us take for granted, getting out of bed, rising from a chair, walking to the bathroom, can become harder and, at times, risky. So it is a very natural question for families to ask: can a live-in carer help with this, safely?\n\nThe answer is yes. Helping someone move safely and comfortably, known in care as \"moving and handling,\" is a core part of what our carers do. But how it is done matters enormously, both for your loved one's safety and for thei","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"How do our carers handle medication safely?","slug":"how-do-our-carers-handle-medication-safely","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8e8d8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/26cfb/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/1b035/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/f19bc/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/921bf/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/b7ef5/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0f3c87243609dba00f52788ee8c74edf/c9c6a/getty-images-5xgvpyTO6hQ-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1333}}},"excerpt":"Of all the things families think about when arranging care, medication is often near the top of the list. Is my loved one getting the right medicines, at the right times? Is it being handled safely? Are they still being treated as an adult who can make their own choices? These are important questions, and entirely the right ones to ask.\n\nManaging medication well is a core part of good care, and it is something we take extremely seriously. Here is how our carers handle it: safely, accurately, and","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"What happens if there is an accident?","slug":"what-happens-if-there-is-an-accident","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#f8f8f8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/3c646/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/28380/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 500w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/6e54a/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 1000w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/3c646/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/76f01/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 500w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/bd81f/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 1000w,\n/static/0a635e6549d0c7b2da01761722255444/1c6e9/curated-lifestyle-HbZtBWfrs9Y-unsplash.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"It is one of the worries that sits quietly at the back of every family's mind when arranging care: what if something goes wrong? What if my loved one has a fall, or there is a mistake? It is a completely fair question, and one you should feel able to ask any care provider.\n\nThe honest truth is that accidents can, occasionally, happen, particularly in later life. No one can promise they never will. What truly matters is how a provider works to prevent them, how they respond when something does ha","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"Mental capacity: how our carers respect your loved one's right to choose","slug":"mental-capacity-how-our-carers-respect-your-loved-ones-right-to-choose","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#e8d8c8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/37b92/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/915f2/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 500w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/1db5b/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 1000w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/37b92/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/a5233/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 500w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/1dd10/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 1000w,\n/static/d139ff9867c752946093cf28158312f4/de019/AdobeStock_84435251-1-1.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":2023}}},"excerpt":"As a loved one grows older, or lives with a condition such as dementia, families sometimes find themselves worrying about decision-making. Who decides what is best? And, importantly, is my loved one's right to make their own choices still respected and protected?\n\nIt is a sensitive and genuinely important area, guided both by law and by a deep respect for the person at the heart of it. Here is how our carers approach mental capacity, and how we protect your loved one's right to choose for themse","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"},{"title":"End-of-life care at home","slug":"end-of-life-care-at-home","feature_image_sharp":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"constrained","backgroundColor":"#887868","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/3c646/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg","srcSet":"/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/28380/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg 500w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/6e54a/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg 1000w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/3c646/AdobeStock_242427744.jpg 2000w","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/76f01/AdobeStock_242427744.webp 500w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/bd81f/AdobeStock_242427744.webp 1000w,\n/static/caab09f96b549783849fde62488e1c36/1c6e9/AdobeStock_242427744.webp 2000w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"(min-width: 2000px) 2000px, 100vw"}]},"width":2000,"height":1335}}},"excerpt":"There are few times in life harder than knowing someone you love is approaching the end of theirs. Amid the sadness and the many questions, most families find themselves holding on to one simple, deeply human wish: for their loved one to be comfortable, to keep their dignity, and, wherever possible, to spend their final chapter in the place they feel safest and happiest, at home.\n\nThis guide is here to help you understand what end-of-life care at home involves, how live-in care can support it, a","published_at":"08 Jul 2026"}]}},"pageContext":{"slug":"sleep-problems-in-older-adults-causes-and-home-based-solutions","tagSlug":"safety-health-and-wellbeing","feature_image":"https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/1f/571fdc8a-aa9a-4837-a3ef-49c48fe6bc13/content/images/2026/07/curated-lifestyle-GUgj5BjWp-8-unsplash-1.jpg"}},"staticQueryHashes":["2482565613","267138725"]}