The Relationship between Sleep Disturbances and Agitation in a Nursing Home

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Abstract
Nursing staff rated the manifestations of agitation and the characteristics of sleep in 408 nursing home residents. In addition, level of cognitive impairment was independently rated by nurses and social workers. Multiple regressions revealed that both sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment were important variables for explaining agitated behaviors. Moreover, the practice of awakening residents during the night for toileting was found to be significantly related to a greater number of aggressive behaviors (e.g., hitting) and physically nonaggressive behaviors (e.g., pacing) during the day. Implications of these findings for the caregivers of agitated nursing home residents are discussed.

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