Environmental Toolkit to Promote Quality Sleep in Long-Term Care: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Context: In long-term care (LTC), disturbed or inadequate sleep among older adult residents can exacerbate physical and cognitive conditions and decrease quality of life.

Objectives: The quality improvement project sought to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a multi-component environmental sleep toolkit designed to meet the needs of a LTC setting.

Methods: The interdisciplinary project team conducted a needs assessment to determine the evidence-based interventions that were feasible for the setting. The team developed and implemented an environmental toolkit intervention, which sought to minimize sleep disruption from sound, light, routines, and diet. The team also provided staff education about sleep in older adults and the sleep environment.

Findings: Post-intervention results showed improvement in overall sleep quality. Staff knowledge about sleep and the sleep environment was increased.

Limitations: The toolkit interventions were relevant to a specific LTC residential setting, which may have implications for generalizability to other settings and facilities.

Implications: Population-based environmental interventions are effective in improving sleep quality and life quality for older adults and are feasible for staff to implement and sustain.