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Managing insomnia in older adults.
Christine Hedges1, John Gotelli
1Christine Hedges is director of nursing quality and research at University of North Carolina Hospitals and an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, and John Gotelli is a geriatric NP at UNC Health Care, Hillsborough Campus, and an adjunct clinical faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing.
Nursing
|August 23, 2020
Summary
Nurses play a vital role in managing insomnia in older adults. Understanding current assessment and treatment strategies is crucial for effective patient care in various healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Insomnia is a common complaint among patients in both hospital and community settings.
- Older adults with insomnia present unique challenges in patient management.
- Effective nursing care requires up-to-date knowledge of assessment and treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of nurses understanding insomnia in older adults.
- To review the latest assessment and treatment options for insomnia in this population.
- To provide guidance for nurses managing older adults with insomnia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current assessment tools for insomnia in older adults.
- Analysis of evidence-based treatment modalities for geriatric insomnia.
- Synthesis of best practices for nursing interventions.
Main Results:
- Older adults experience distinct physiological and psychological factors influencing insomnia.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a primary evidence-based treatment.
- Multidisciplinary approaches are often necessary for comprehensive management.
Conclusions:
- Nurses require specialized knowledge to effectively manage insomnia in older patients.
- Implementing updated assessment and treatment protocols can improve patient outcomes.
- Continuous education on geriatric sleep disorders is essential for nursing professionals.
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