Sleep disturbance in people with dementia in care homes: pilot
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Sleep disturbance in people with dementia living in care homes: development of a night-time care programme (pilot and feasibility study phase)
IRAS ID
163463
Contact name
Anne Corbett
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK, and this is expected to rise to over 1 million by 2025. One third of people with dementia in the UK live in care homes. Over 40% of these individuals experience sleep disturbance. This can be caused by a number of factors including restlessness and insomnia due to symptoms or medications, nighttime disturbances from staff or other residents and behavioural symptoms such as agitation. This can lead to problems in many aspects of their health and wellbeing, including increased problems with memory, risk of morality and behavioural symptoms, as well as missed meals and chances to interact with others due to daytime napping.
Sleep disturbance is also a challenge for care staff, particularly due to low night staffing levels. Despite the importance of the issue few studies have examined the prevalence or full impact of sleep disturbance, and there is no evidence-based guidance available.
This study is the second part of a PhD studentship which aims to develop a draft night-time care package for care homes to improve the management of sleep disturbance in people with dementia. Ongoing work (outside of this application) is conducting a series of consultations and development work to inform the package. This study will conduct an audit of sleep disturbance in a group of care homes, and will conduct a feasibility study of the draft night-time care package.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0190
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion