Night life: nocturnal behavior patterns among hospitalized elderly

1. In contrast to previous studies where elderly living in an institution were found to demonstrate a consistent, predictable pattern of nocturnal activity, hospitalized elderly were found to be asleep less and awake more over a period of 3 consecutive nights. 2. Medication, treatments, and assessment were scheduled with little regard for the hospitalized elderly's need for restorative sleep. 3. Each time an elderly patient was awakened, it took him or her at least 30 minutes to return to sleep. 4. Nurses are advised to determine and maintain as much as possible the patient's usual bedtime routine, keep interruptions during the night to a minimum, schedule medications and treatments efficiently, decrease noise, and medicate for pain as appropriate.