Impact of Critical Care on the Elderly: Sleep Deprivation
Introduction
A review of the literature reveals that intensive care units (ICUs), admits more and more frequently older adult clients who have under gone trauma, major surgeries, organ transplantations, and other much major illnesses (Stanley, 1992). Admission to the intensive care setting has both a physiological and psychological impact on these older adults (Tullman & Dracup, 2000). However, as Krachman, D’Alonzo, and Criner (1995) have pointed out, the intensive individualized care and monitoring that ICU patients undergo, often results in severe sleep deprivation. ... Given this information, other investigators who have researched this topic have recommended that critical care nurses be cognizant of the normal sleep patterns of older adults in order to determine whether their lack of sleep is being caused by the normal aging process, other sleep disorders, or the critical care environment (Hudak et al. ...
The object of this paper is to examine the impact that critical care has on the quality of sleep experienced by the older adult patient in the ICU. ...
Causes of Sleep deprivation in the ICU
Various authors have reported that the acute care setting can cause inadequate sleep in the older adult (Kido, 1991; Shilo et al. ... (2000) studies found that there is a strong correlation between environmental factors and sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit. ... Study results confirmed that patients’ stay in the intensive care unit, when compared with the healthy population affects the quantity of patients’ sleep. ... , 1999; Evans & French, 1995,) and could result in a longer hospital stay for the patient and in turn may impact morbidity and healthcare costs (Krachman, et al. ... , state that sleep deprivation could be a cause of low melatonin secretions because low melaotonin levels induce insomnia in the elderly. ... Tullman & Dracup suggest that the first step in preventing sleep deprivation in the elderly is assessing the client and that small interventions such as removing their dentures can affect the quality of their sleep . ... (2000) suggest that light levels should be reduced to an extend where patients can sleep without being disturbed by the intensity of the light and where patient safety and care is not being compromised. ...
Conclusion
Critically ill older adults admitted into the intensive care unit are at risk of sleep deprivation (Freedman et al. ... Being cognizant of the factors prevent and treat sleep deprivation can assist the critical care nurse in providing better care for the clients and in promoting health restoration. ... Planning individualized care for clients can maximize the amount and continuity of sleep and consequently enhance the functional capabilities of the older adult client.
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