ABSTRACT
Loss of sleep itself is distressing for patients
and can be of primary concern to carers.
However, loss of sleep is almost always
accompanied by altered behaviour during
wakefulness at night and this has a substantial
impact on carers. It has also been shown that
even day-time behavioural disturbance is
associated with night-time sleeplessness
(Rebok et al, 1991). Not surprisingly, sleep
disturbance is among the most stressful of
behavioural disturbances reported by carers
(Donaldson et al, 1998); it is easy to see how
loss of sleep in the patient results in loss of
sleep in the carer, which will impact on their
ability to look after the patient. An escalation
can ensue, resulting in a complete loss of
morale and breakdown in the home
situation.
