Sleep problems and self-care in very old rural women: nursing implications

Sleep problems are prevalent among very old rural women. In a effort to manage them, they may resort to the indiscriminate use of OTC medications and alcohol. As part of the comprehensive nursing care needed to address these issues, rural nurses should carefully assess their clients sleep patterns and self-care activities and encourage the use of nonpharmacologic interventions to improve sleep. A knowledge of rural values is essential to this process.