1. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging It’s a matter of health! Sleep quality & aging

2. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Restful sleep Is important for: restoring energy physical health emotional health

3. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Poor quality sleep Can lead to: decline in cognitive functioning decline in physical functioning daytime sleepiness less social interaction poorer quality of life shorter lifespan

4. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Aging does NOT reduce the need for sleep. Older adults need 6 to 8 hours of restful sleep each night, just like younger people. Sleep needs of older adults

5. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Aging affects sleep Older adults tend to have difficulty staying asleep. Why? Chronic diseases, more common in later life, may interfere with sleep due to pain, incontinence, shortness of breath. Medication side effects Changes in sleep cycle due to aging

6. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Sleep & nursing home residents It can be difficult to sleep in the nursing home environment! can be noisy sleep often interrupted for caregiving tasks nursing home residents tend to have more health problems than elders in the community

7. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Dementia & sleep People with dementia often have poor sleep quality. Poor sleep quality can worsen cognitive function. Sleep problems often lead to nursing home admission because family becomes exhausted caring for their loved one at night.

8. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging Promoting sleep Encourage physical activity in residents Get them outdoors when weather permits –Exposure to bright light during the day promotes sleep at night Offer non-caffeinated beverages, especially at night Encourage calming activities as bedtime approaches

9. Nursing Assistant Monthly AUGUST 2007 Sleep quality & aging More tips for promoting sleep A warm bath before bedtime promotes sleepiness. Try to time your nighttime care to reduce frequent awakenings –Example: if nurse must wake resident for medication or treatment, use that time to check on resident, instead of later. Keep nighttime noise to a minimum and adjust lighting.