Daytime sleep and the threat to well-being of persons with dementia

Abstract

Sleep dysfunction is common among persons with dementia. The relationship of daytime sleep to the quality of life and social engagement of persons with dementia has not been examined. The present study examined this relationship among 166 persons with dementia in three nursing homes, two assisted living facilities, and three adult day centers. Two staff proxy questionnaires and two measures of direct observation were used to assess quality of life and social engagement. Findings differed somewhat in nursing homes and assisted living facilities compared to adult day centers. In general, multivariate analyses indicated that greater frequency of daytime sleep was related to lower quality of life and lower social engagement, regardless of dementia severity.