Disturbed sleep is a common complaint among older people living in residential care facilities. However, the deterioration in sleep quality is not necessarily due to increased age per se. Sleep fragmentation among older people in care homes has been strongly linked to exogenous factors such as excessive light and noise, often associated with nursing care activities.
To date, sleep research in care homes has predominantly been targeted at informing better policy and practice from a managerial perspective. Despite the increased use of low-level technology in care facilities, no coordinated analysis has been undertaken of the potential of technology to assist in tackling factors that contribute to poor sleep. The authors, as part of a multi-disciplinary team have begun a study to identify areas in which technology may be able to help improve the quality of sleep among older people in residential care facilities.
From semi-structured interviews and observational studies in thirteen care homes, a framework of the psychosocial, environmental and behavioural factors which influence sleep was constructed. This highlighted that the need for reassurance that care is available was a major motivator in influencing residents’ nocturnal behaviour, some of which is detrimental to sleep quality. In addition, it highlighted that a lack of control over their environment influences some residents’ general sense of night-time restfulness.
From this framework, a list was compiled of eight particular areas where technology may be able to assist. This included intelligent lighting, remote monitoring, and the accessibility of staff-call buttons, personal items and soporific entertainment. Conceptual solutions were presented to care home staff and feedback indicated that the majority would be perceived as valuable. This gave reassurance that areas of need had been identified. Prototypes are being constructed and will be tested with residents and staff to ascertain whether the solutions sufficiently address the identified areas of need.