title: The use of light therapy to lower agitation in people with dementia.
abstract: Agitation and sleep disturbance are problematic for people with dementia and their carers, and have been linked to disrupted circadian rhythms caused by a lack of exposure to light. Bright light therapy (BLT) offers a powerful and cost-effective alternative to pharmacological options, and can be easily incorporated into care routines. This article describes practical issues faced when implementing light therapy in a nursing home setting, and attempts to address existing perceptions about its effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sutherland
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010789:Phototherapy; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000628:therapy*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy