Sleep Enhancement For Older Persons

A noisy environment and disruptive schedule can make it difficult for older people to get a restful night's sleep. These guidelines can be used in the hospital and at home.

Purpose: To promote sleep without the use of medication. Sleep medication side effects can be harmful to older patients by causing increased confusion, falls, daytime drowsiness, and medicine if they are helped to relax, using the following procedures:

What You Need:

• Lotion
• Choice of herbal tea or warm mild
• Relaxation tapes or music
• Walkman or tape player

What You Should Do:

• Wash hands
• Reduce noise by turning off TV and pull curtain or door close.
• Offer the use of the bathroom.
• Speak in a low tone, slowly, clearly, and firmly.
• Offer opportunity to go to the bathroom.
• Encourage teeth brushing; store dentures in cup on bedside table
• Make sure bed linens are clean, dry and straightened
• Help remove hearing aids and turn off. Store in bedside table
• If in the hospital, ask nurse that any medications be given and vital signs taken before proceeding with relaxation activities and that hall lights be dimmed and intercom not be used after 9 p.m.
• Get the person in a comfortable position.
• Turn off or dim the lights.
• Offer herbal tea or milk.
• Put music on softly.
• Offer back rub (right before end of visit or at bedtime)
  • Have patient lie on side.
  • Warm lotion in hands.
  • Use slow, rhythmic kneading or circular strokes to muscles on both sides of spine. Massage on either side of the spine, but not over the spine itself.
  • Total time about 5 minutes. The person should relax during the back rub. If the person seems uncomfortable or complains of pain, ask if he/she prefers that you stop. If you are in the hospital report it to the nurse.
  • A quiet "Good night".
  • Wash hands.
  • Hopefully the person will be relaxed and begin to doze. Quietly leave the room.