Health intervention with weighted blankets for frail older people with insomnia in nursing homes

• Insomnia is a common health problem among frail older people in nursing homes. An alternative method of dealing with insomnia has been developed through weighted blankets. The overall aim was to explore and describe how older people with insomnia living in nursing homes are affected in terms of sleep, quality of life, ADL ability, nutritional status and medication after an intervention using a weighted blanket. The study uses a qualitative and quantitative approach to explore the experiences and outcomes of using the weighted blankets. It increases the opportunity to integrate different perspectives and methods to understand the weighted blanket sufficiently. Study I aimed to explore how frail older people insomnia living in nursing homes experience the use of a weighted blanket. Study II aimed to explore nursing staff’s experiences of how a weighted blanket-based intervention influenced nursing home residents’ self-rated health. Study III investigated the effects of weighted blankets on the health of older people nursing home residents in terms of QoL, sleep, nutrition, cognition, ADL, and medication needs. Study IV examined how weighted blankets affect the sleep patterns of frail older people living in nursing homes. The studies suggest that weighted blankets improve the sleep of frail older people living in nursing homes by reducing the number of times they wake during the night. They can also improve overall well-being, emotional state, cognitive function, nutritional status, and daytime activity levels. However, it is essential to consider individual differences, as some users may find the blankets uncomfortable. Study IV revealed that weighted blankets can improve the sleep and quality of life of older people nursing home residents.  Their use constitutes a safe and non-pharmacological intervention, but more research is needed to explore the long-term effects.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Hälsoinnovation

Health Innovation

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

dok (subject category)