Omvårdnadsåtgärder som främjar sömnen hos äldre : En litteraturstudie

Sammanfattning

Background: Common sleeping problems in the elderly are difficulties falling asleep and waking up several times during the night. Waking up several times during the night means that the important recovery that takes place during deep sleep is absent. Longer stretches of bad sleep negatively affect feelings of hunger and the immune system. Lack of sleep can also lead to memory problems and severe fatigue during the day, which increases the risk of falling and fall injuries. At high age, the body's conditions for distributing drugs change and side effects become more common, which justifies non-pharmacological nursing measures that promote sleep for the elderly. Aim: The aim was to describe nursing measures that promote sleep for the elderly. Method: A literature study. Result: Measures that were shown to promote sleep were aromatherapy, chamomile extract, relaxation exercises, acupressure, hand bath with hand massage, yoga, physical activity and natural daylight. Relaxation exercises should be performed in the evening to give the best effect. Physical activity of the degree recommended by the WHO is sufficient to have an effect on sleep quality. Staying in daylight during the morning proved to be the best time to contribute to a better sleep. Conclusion: Many of the elderly get a better quality of sleep from non-pharmacological nursing measures, and in addition, they do not cause any side effects. This suggests that they should be used by nurses in the care of the elderly with sleeping problems.