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The Rhythm of the Unit Is the Pace of Life: A Study of Everyday Activities and Sleep in Swedish Residential Care

Hellström, Amanda LU ; Condelius, Anna LU ; Willman, Ania LU and Fagerström, Cecilia LU (2015) In Open Journal of Nursing 5. p.697-706
Abstract
Social and physical activities can improve sleep in older people. However, living in a residential care facility has been associated with a limited potential for activities and increased inactivity, reflected in poor sleep among residents. In turn, poor sleep can impair physical and mental functions.

This paper explores sleep habits and everyday activities at three residential care facilities

and investigates the link between sleep habits and everyday activities from the perspective of the

residents. Data were collected through observations of daily life and interviews with residents.

The results showed that fixed times during the day reduced daytime sleep and motivated them to

go to the day... (More)
Social and physical activities can improve sleep in older people. However, living in a residential care facility has been associated with a limited potential for activities and increased inactivity, reflected in poor sleep among residents. In turn, poor sleep can impair physical and mental functions.

This paper explores sleep habits and everyday activities at three residential care facilities

and investigates the link between sleep habits and everyday activities from the perspective of the

residents. Data were collected through observations of daily life and interviews with residents.

The results showed that fixed times during the day reduced daytime sleep and motivated them to

go to the day room, thus enabling social interaction. More impaired residents spent more time in

the day room napping or being less active. The residents stated that going outdoors was a desired

activity, thought to improve sleep. However, the activity did not occur to the extent the residents

wished for. Maintaining mobility and influence over daily activities together with regularity seemed

to improve sleep. Awareness among staff of the need for stimulating and enriching activities, as

well as access to bright light is requisite. Specific consideration should be given to residents who

have difficulties communicating their wishes and/or impaired mobility. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Everyday Activities, Older People, Residential Care Facility, Sleep
in
Open Journal of Nursing
volume
5
pages
697 - 706
publisher
Scientific Research Publishing (SCIRP)
ISSN
2162-5336
DOI
10.4236/ojn.2015.58073
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c3e893ca-b5b9-4dba-af83-826d24c15b21 (old id 8084830)
alternative location
http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=58596
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 11:31:41
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:05:26
@article{c3e893ca-b5b9-4dba-af83-826d24c15b21,
  abstract     = {{Social and physical activities can improve sleep in older people. However, living in a residential care facility has been associated with a limited potential for activities and increased inactivity, reflected in poor sleep among residents. In turn, poor sleep can impair physical and mental functions.<br/><br>
This paper explores sleep habits and everyday activities at three residential care facilities<br/><br>
and investigates the link between sleep habits and everyday activities from the perspective of the<br/><br>
residents. Data were collected through observations of daily life and interviews with residents.<br/><br>
The results showed that fixed times during the day reduced daytime sleep and motivated them to<br/><br>
go to the day room, thus enabling social interaction. More impaired residents spent more time in<br/><br>
the day room napping or being less active. The residents stated that going outdoors was a desired<br/><br>
activity, thought to improve sleep. However, the activity did not occur to the extent the residents<br/><br>
wished for. Maintaining mobility and influence over daily activities together with regularity seemed<br/><br>
to improve sleep. Awareness among staff of the need for stimulating and enriching activities, as<br/><br>
well as access to bright light is requisite. Specific consideration should be given to residents who<br/><br>
have difficulties communicating their wishes and/or impaired mobility.}},
  author       = {{Hellström, Amanda and Condelius, Anna and Willman, Ania and Fagerström, Cecilia}},
  issn         = {{2162-5336}},
  keywords     = {{Everyday Activities; Older People; Residential Care Facility; Sleep}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{697--706}},
  publisher    = {{Scientific Research Publishing (SCIRP)}},
  series       = {{Open Journal of Nursing}},
  title        = {{The Rhythm of the Unit Is the Pace of Life: A Study of Everyday Activities and Sleep in Swedish Residential Care}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/5794498/8145762}},
  doi          = {{10.4236/ojn.2015.58073}},
  volume       = {{5}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}