Everyday nursing care: Tips for better sleep for relatives and patients!

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Petra Lossau, 64, reflects on care challenges and her life in Verden. Discover inspiring conversations in the NDR podcast.

Petra Lossau, 64, reflektiert über Pflegeherausforderungen und ihr Leben in Verden. Entdecken Sie inspirierende Gespräche im NDR-Podcast.
Petra Lossau, 64, reflects on care challenges and her life in Verden. Discover inspiring conversations in the NDR podcast.

Everyday nursing care: Tips for better sleep for relatives and patients!

Today we look at a facet of life that is often overshadowed - the challenges and experiences of caring relatives and those in need of care. The focus is on the touching story of Petra Lossau, a 64-year-old former educator who has shown a lot of strength and dedication in recent years. She cared for her husband, who suffers from the neurological disorder PSP, and navigated the difficulties of care, supported by her daughter and a loyal circle of friends. But at some point she felt overwhelmed, and that's a feeling that many family members struggle with.

A program moderated by Mario Neumann entitled “Talk for an Hour” shows which topics concern people. Aspects such as success, failure and the search for true love are discussed. Despite all the challenges, Petra is happy about her life and still sees many beautiful things ahead of her. The conversation, which continues in the Bremen-Zwei-Studios, is part of a series of inspiring encounters taking place in the NDR Audio library is available.

The effects of lack of sleep

An additional problem that is often not discussed is the lack of sleep among caring relatives. Loud pflege.de Many family members suffer from irregular sleep patterns caused by the stress and unique challenges of caregiving. Markus Kamps, an experienced sleep expert, points out that sleep problems are often overlooked, but can have serious effects on health and well-being.

Sleep problems are not the exception for those in need of care and their relatives, but unfortunately often the rule. Factors such as stress, health problems and an unfavorable sleeping environment contribute to the fact that many people who care for sick relatives sleep restlessly at night. The importance of a good night's sleep is often not emphasized enough, even though it is crucial for the regeneration of the body and mind.

Recommendations for better sleep

How can caring relatives and those in need of care improve their sleep? According to the platform anhoerige-pflegen.de Structured sleep hygiene is essential. Here is an overview of technology recommendations that can be helpful for both relatives and those in need of care:

  • Für pflegende Angehörige:
    • Progressive Muskelentspannung (PME)
    • Digitale Entgiftung: Bildschirme mindestens eine Stunde vor dem Schlafengehen meiden
    • Dankbarkeitsritual: Drei positive Dinge des Tages notieren
    • Atemtechniken (zum Beispiel 4-7-8-Atmung)
  • Für Pflegebedürftige:
    • Festes Einschlafritual: etwa ein warmes Fußbad
    • Lichtanpassung: Blaulicht reduzieren und Nachtlichter verwenden
    • Körperliche Entspannung durch sanfte Massagen

These practical tips can not only improve the quality of sleep, but also help both sides - the caring relatives and those in need of care - to better deal with the challenges. Regular discussions with relatives and experts are also an important step in improving the overall care situation.

In conclusion, as Petra Lossau shows, there are positive perspectives and hope even in difficult times. The challenges of care are varied, but with appropriate support and the right knowledge, everyone can improve their quality of life and enjoy the beauty of life to the fullest.