Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr David Lee, Professor Alan ThomasORCiD
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Background: The increasing prevalence of dementia will precipitate a significant burden in terms of the costs of caring for people with dementia over the next 30 years; sleep disturbances in dementia are an important factor contributing to this burden. Methods: We reviewed sleep disturbances in people with dementia and their carers and describe the various diagnostic, assessment and treatment strategies available to physicians in the management of this clinically significant problem. Results: Sleep disturbances in people with dementia and their carers (i) are highly prevalent; (ii) impact significantly on quality of life of both people with dementia and their carers; (iii) increase the rate of cognitive decline; and (iv) accelerate the breakdown of community-based care. The training of physicians in the assessment and treatment of sleep disturbances in dementia and caregiving is scant despite a wide range of assessment strategies and treatment approaches, which comprise both pharmacological (including hypnotic/sedative medications) and non-pharmacological approaches (including: environmental; psychobehavioral; exercise and activity; and multi-component interventions). Specific diagnostic criteria for sleep disturbances in people with dementia and their carers remain lacking despite established criteria for general insomnia. Further to this, proposed changes to diagnostic criteria for DSM-V do not include a specific focus for the diagnosis and management of sleep disturbances in people with dementia or their carers. Conclusions: This review suggests that the improved training of physicians to meet the needs of these vulnerable groups of older people is a priority, especially in the context of a rapidly increasing demand for accurate, early diagnosis and efficient management of sleep disturbance in these groups.
Author(s): Lee DR, Thomas AJ
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: International Psychogeriatrics
Year: 2011
Volume: 23
Issue: 2
Pages: 190-201
Print publication date: 01/03/2011
ISSN (print): 1041-6102
ISSN (electronic): 1741-203X
Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1041610210001894
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610210001894
