title: Sleep-related habits and preferences in older adults: a pilot study of their range and self-rated importance.
abstract: This article explores the sleep-related habits of older persons, as well as the level of importance they assign to these practices. A convenience sample of 58 community-dwelling seniors responded to sleep-related items from the Self-Maintenance Habits and Preferences in Elderly questionnaire. Sleep practices varied greatly across individuals, but did not show much systematic difference between men and women. However, as with many health care issues, women rated them as more important than did men. Knowledge of sleep habits and preferences is important so that it can be taken into account by those responsible for planning care for older adults or for aiding their adaptation to a new setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Sciences, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA. cohen-mansfield@hebrew-home.org
authors.forename: Jiska
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen-Mansfield
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jensen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires