Christina Peters
Research Mentor: Courtney Polenick
Mentor Department: Psychiatry, Medicine
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 59
Abstract
Research has been conducted regarding how daily habits such as exercise and light exposure affect sleep in people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners, but little is known about how positive experiences may affect sleep in spousal care dyads. This study evaluated the potential effects that daily positive experiences may have on sleep among PLWD and their spouses. Recorded phone interviews were conducted in a larger ongoing study with married or cohabiting couples aged 60 and older that live together and include one partner living with dementia. Data from the first 15 couples were used in analysis. The interviews included open-ended questions about daily positive experiences and sleep within couples in the past month. We transcribed the interviews and conducted a qualitative content analysis of couples’ data to examine how positive experiences impact sleep among couples living with dementia. These results will inform clinical care and interventions to improve the daily lives of PLWD and their spouses through promoting positive experiences that may contribute to better sleep quality. Ultimately, this study will identify day-to-day positive experiences that improve the health of both partners.
