Why Checking Sleep Is Important in Memory Care

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in older adults, particularly in memory clinic attendees.

• Sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are linked to cognitive decline and reduced quality of life.
• Despite their prevalence, sleep disturbances are often not assessed in memory clinics and related healthcare settings.
• Current screening and management approaches for sleep disturbances vary widely across different health-care systems.
• There is a lack of systematic methods for identifying and managing sleep issues in older adults with cognitive impairment.
• A stepped-care framework is proposed to enhance the detection and management of sleep disturbances in memory clinics.

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