Qualitative Case Study on Adverse Effects Inferred to be Associated with Sleep Medicine and Care among Older Adults at Home

Abstract

Purpose：This study describes the adverse effects inferred to be associated with sleep medicine among older adults at home and care provided by home health nurses.

Method：The Stake’s qualitative case study method was utilized. A semi-structured interview was conducted with four home health nurses who provide nursing care to older adults taking sleep medicine. From the seven cases studied, themes were qualitatively generated using the inductive approach focusing on similarities and dissimilarities.

Results：The main adverse effects included falling at night, carry-over effects lasting through the next day due to additional medication, and aggravation of the consciousness level due to higher doses. The home health nurses provided care by adjusting appropriate sleep habits and timing of taking sleep medicine, coordinating between reduction of sleep medicine and reduction of family care burden at night, and fostering a multi-disciplinary care.

Conclusion：The adverse effects inferred to be associated with sleep medicine were related to a home-specific environment which is not always under the supervision of medical staff. The results imply that these effects led to accidents which threatened the safety and comfort of older adults.