Sleep-related habits and preferences in older adults: a pilot study of their range and self-rated importance

Sleep Experiences of Older Indian Women: An Exploratory Study

As adequate sleep is an indicator of healthy aging, it is of concern that in India, the prevalence of sleep disorders is significant among older women. Using a qualitative approach, we aimed to understand how older Indian women perceive, engage in, and experience sleep and the factors influencing their sleep. Eight urban-residing older women from a southern Indian district were interviewed. Three main themes emerged: perceptions about sleep and sleep disturbances, causes and consequences of disturbed sleep, and sleep practices. Results may guide contextually relevant occupational assessments and interventions to support good sleep and healthy aging of this vulnerable population.

The relationship between sleep habits, anxiety, and depression in the elderly

PURPOSE

The objective of this study is to determine which sleep-related behaviors are most often used by the elderly according to the presence or absence of anxiety and mood disorders. In particular, we are attempting to determine whether these behaviors are associated with the probability of suffering from a mental disorder. The behaviors being examined in the present study are taking naps, television watching or reading at bedtime, physical exercise at bedtime, relaxing activities at bedtime, and caffeine consumption in the evening.

METHODS

The sample in this study consists of 2,759 participants aged 65 and over, with a mean age of 73.8. They were recruited through a method of random generation of telephone numbers according to a sampling strategy based on geographic location. After the goal of the study was explained to them, the participants agreed to have health professionals visit their home and to answer questions in an hour-and-a-half-long structured interview (after signing a consent form).

RESULTS

Taking naps is the activity most often practiced by the elderly. Watching television and reading at bedtime are also frequent practices among them. The probabilities of suffering from anxiety are greater if the person never or rarely consumes caffeine after 6 pm, if the individual takes naps during the day, or if the person practices relaxation before bedtime. Television watching, reading, and physical exercise before bedtime are activities that are not associated with the probability of suffering from a mental disorder.

CONCLUSION

It would be beneficial for research to be conducted to support the findings on behavioral differences between depressive and anxious seniors so that these behaviors can become further indicators of the presence of mental disorders.

A comparison of eating practices of independently living older adults in private residences and in senior retirement housing: a pilot study

This study investigated eating-related habits and their importance in older people and compared those living in private residences with those in senior retirement community housing. A convenience sample of 58 seniors answered eating-related items from the Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly questionnaire (SHAPE). Meal location, companions, concurrent activities, portion size, and food variety differed between private and retirement housing for some meals, but the overall importance assigned to eating practices was similar. The meals themselves appeared to be more important than any specific socio-environmental element. Eating practices associated with dinner were more important than those for the other meals.

Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly (SHAPE): reliability of reports of self-care preferences in older persons

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Self-care preferences can be used in designing programs of care. Yet little has been documented concerning the self-care habits and preferences of older adults.

METHODS

This study assessed the reliability of reports of self-care preferences and their importance among older adults using the Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly (SHAPE) instrument. Twenty community-dwelling seniors completed the SHAPE questionnaire twice within a one- to two-week interval. Percent agreement, both exact and close/partial, was computed to assess the reliability of preference content, and intra-class correlations (ICCs) were used for preference importance. Test and subject factors affecting reliability were also investigated.

RESULTS

Exact agreement rate for item content was 73%, and that for close/partial agreement was 93%. Mean ICC for item importance was 0.72. Reliability was greater for dichotomous items than for either ordinal or categorical questions. Reliability of item content varied with number of response options and importance reliability varied with age and IADL status.

CONCLUSIONS

Information from SHAPE about self-care preferences can be used to plan services for seniors and to individualize care for older persons, especially those transitioning to new living environments or those receiving home care.

How do self-care routines of nursing home residents compare with past self-care practices?

This article compares the self-care routines of nursing home residents with those customarily practiced when individuals were able to care for themselves. Participants were 20 nursing home residents, their spouses, and nursing assistants. Self-care routines were assessed using the Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly (SHAPE) questionnaire. More items change than remain the same. Items most likely to change are those dealing with timing or duration. Routines become more simplified after admission and reflect the increased frailty of residents. Self-care becomes more important overall. Spouses are unable to indicate whether current and past self-care practices are the same slightly over half of the time, but nursing assistants are almost totally lacking in the knowledge of previous self-care routines. Knowledge of changes in self-care routines can be used to guide interventions to bring past and current practices into greater concordance.

Do interventions bringing current self-care practices into greater correspondence with those performed premorbidly benefit the person with dementia? A pilot study

This article assessed whether bringing current self-care practices into greater correspondence with those performed before the onset of dementia benefits the dementia patient. Participants were 20 nursing home residents with dementia, their spouses, and nursing assistants. Past and current self-care routines were determined by proxy responses of spouses and nursing assistants, respectively, using the Self-maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly questionnaire. Interventions were proposed based on current practices that were inconsistent with those practiced in the past and that had been important to residents. Residents showed engagement with the interventions, as these resulted in significantly more positive than negative or neutral responses. There was no effect on agitation. Incorporating prior preferences into care routines can contribute to the quality of life of dementia patients.