To Determine the Quality of Sleep among Elderly Population at Selected Community in Chennai

Abstract

Background: Our daily lives depend on sleep, and as we age, our sleep patterns tend to change as well. Most people discover that getting older makes it more difficult for them to fall asleep. Chronic sleep disorders are thought to affect 40–70% of older persons, and up to 50% of cases go misdiagnosed. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the causes of insomnia and the quality of sleep in order to develop strategies for promoting sleep among the senior population in a particular Chennai community .Materials and procedure: The study, which involved 100 senior citizens living in Mel Ayanambakkam, was carried out using a descriptive correlational research design. Pretested and validated instruments, such as the Insomnia Severity Scale, the Health variables proforma, and the Demographic Variables Proforma, were used to gather data. Results: The levels of insomnia, 39% of the elderly population did not have insomnia, 28% of the elderly population had sub threshold insomnia and moderate level of insomnia, only 5% of the elderly population had severe insomnia. There was no significant association between demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, type of family, leisure time activities and monthly income and quality of sleep (p<0.05).Conclusion: The elderly who experience sleep disturbances will increase the amount of sleep during the daytime, attention and memory problems, depression. Health care professionals especially the nurses, play a vital role in educating the community on importance of sleep among elderly population.