Which intervention should be included in a care plan for an older adult client experiencing difficulty sleeping?

Establishing a regular exercise routine 2 hours or more before bedtime is an effective intervention for older adults experiencing difficulty sleeping. Regular physical activity has been shown to promote better sleep quality and can help regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. Engaging in exercise during the day can reduce feelings of fatigue and anxiety, which often contribute to sleep disturbances. By timing the exercise to be at least 2 hours before bedtime, it allows the body enough time to wind down and relax, leading to improved sleep onset and maintenance during the night.

In contrast, limiting fluid intake after 6 PM can help reduce nighttime trips to the bathroom, which may disrupt sleep, but it may not address the root causes of insomnia. Encouraging daytime napping to improve nighttime rest might disrupt the sleep cycle and make it harder to sleep at night. Advising the use of sleeping pills nightly can lead to dependence and does not promote the development of healthy sleep habits, which are critical in managing difficulties with sleep.