Safe and sound? Night-time checking in care homes

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nursing
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Sleep disturbances are prevalent among older adults in care homes.
• Current night-time care practices can negatively impact resident sleep quality.
• There is a need for innovative approaches to enhance sleep and wellbeing in care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of technology in supporting relationship-centred care during night-time in care homes.
• To understand care staff's acceptance and perceptions of using technology for night-time care.
• To assess how technology-supported care might improve sleep and daily life for older residents.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research within a larger study on sleep in later life.
• Investigated care staff's views on technology adoption for night-time care.
• Focused on the context of sleep and wellbeing in care home residents.

Main Results:

• Care staff expressed hesitancy in relying solely on technology for night-time care.
• Personal assessment by staff is considered crucial for fulfilling duty of care and assessing resident wellbeing.
• Technology, when used to support relationship-centred care, shows potential for improving sleep.

Conclusions:

• Integrating technology into night-time care requires addressing staff concerns and emphasizing its supportive role.
• A relationship-centred approach, augmented by technology, can enhance sleep quality for older adults in care homes.
• Improved sleep may lead to increased resident engagement in daily activities, enhancing overall quality of life.