Case-Based Review

Guide to Recognizing and Treating Sleep Disturbances in the Nursing Home


 

References

Case 5 Outcome

The patient was evaluated with video synchronized in lab PSG. It confirmed REM sleep without evidence of the normal atonia that should be apparent during REM. These PSG findings in combination with repeated accounts of dream enactment established the diagnosis of RBD. Patient was treated with low-dose clonazepam and closely monitored for potential side effects of daytime sedation. Bedroom environment was also carefully reconfigured for safety to avoid potential risk of injury during a dream enactment episode.

Conclusion

Sleep disturbances remain an underappreciated and undertreated health issue in NH residents. Nursing homes can help facilitate optimal sleep health and day functioning by providing mandatory natural light outlets, physical exercise opportunities, and minimal allowable time residents can spend in their bed/bedroom outside of their routine sleep period. Educating NH providers and staff on sleep medicine may benefit residents, but workload and restricted resources may hinder this. Education via mobile and internet based educational platforms and resources (Mysleep101) may be helpful in addressing education barriers [75]. Convenient and cost-effective methods to deliver sleep medicine education to NH health care providers should be part of our ongoing efforts to improve the viability, vitality and quality of life of our aging citizens.

Corresponding author: Alyssa Gamaldo, PhD, Univ. of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MHC 1340, Tampa, FL 33612, agamaldo@usf.edu.

Financial disclosures: None.

Pages

Recommended Reading

Treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management
Mindfulness Meditation for Sleep Problems
Journal of Clinical Outcomes Management