Caffeine, Sleep Problems, and Beverages other than Coffee: Elder Care Considerations near Greer, SC
October is Caffeine Addiction Recovery Month and while it may seem like an odd addiction to even talk about, it is an important one. Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause a number of health related issues, not the least of which is difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. For anyone who relies on elder care, and who is struggling with insomnia related symptoms, caffeine could very well be the problem.
But that doesn’t mean that drinking coffee is the only potential problem. There are numerous drink beverages and other foods that contain caffeine that can cause problems.
Many sodas (also commonly referred to as pop) will contain various amounts of caffeine. Energy drinks are notorious for high quantities of not only sugar but also caffeine. These energy drinks, such as Monster or Red Bull, can potentially be dangerous to people who have certain health related issues, especially hypertension and heart disease.
Chocolate and any products that contain some amount of chocolate in them also commonly contain some amount of caffeine.
If the individual who is relying on elder care is struggling to fall asleep at night, there are probably numerous reasons for their trouble. If they fall asleep and then wake up a short time later and have difficulty falling back to sleep, it may be related to caffeine or other substances in their body from something they ate.
Caffeine can cause anxiety injured jitteriness. If the individual already has anxiety from various issues, including health related problems that they’re facing, caffeine will exacerbate these anxiety related issues in many cases.
As a result, it is wise for the elderly home care provider to discourage the homeowner and patient from consuming caffeine late in the afternoon and evening hours. If they have a penchant for coffee, they should be encouraged to drink decaffeinated coffee. However, it is important to note that decaffeinated coffee also contains caffeine, just in a significantly lower dosage.
If the elderly individual insists on having coffee with caffeine, there really is nothing that the elder care provider can do about that. The elderly individual has the right to enjoy what he or she wants, even if it is causing them difficulty or is a threat to their personal health and well-being.
The more that they know about caffeine, though, the better choices they can make, through elder care and other aspects of their life.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care services near Greer SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.
Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens,Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.
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