5.1 Describe situations in which additional information or assistance about sleep would be needed

This guide will help you answer 5.1 Describe situations in which additional information or assistance about sleep would be needed.

Sleep plays a major role in a person’s physical and mental health. In health and social care, you may work with people of different ages and needs. Some will have clear, regular sleep patterns. Others will struggle to get enough rest. Poor sleep can affect mood, concentration, recovery from illness, and overall wellbeing. In some cases, you may need more information or outside help to support the person properly.

This guide covers a range of situations where extra guidance or assistance is needed. These examples relate to a variety of care settings, including residential homes, hospitals, community care, and supported living.

Long-term Sleep Disorders

Some people may have a diagnosed sleep disorder such as insomnia, sleep apnoea, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome. These conditions can be complex and require specialist care. If a person’s existing medical plan is not helping, or if symptoms are changing, extra information from a GP, specialist nurse, or sleep clinic might be required.

Examples include:

• A resident with sleep apnoea whose breathing monitor shows more interruptions at night
• A service user with restless legs syndrome whose discomfort has increased
• Someone with narcolepsy who is struggling more with daytime sleepiness

Sleep disorders often need adjustments to medication, equipment, or routines. Without correct advice from health professionals, these needs might go unmet.

Sudden Change in Sleep Patterns

A sudden change in sleep can signal a new health problem, side effects from medication, or emotional distress. If a person who normally sleeps well begins staying awake most of the night, panicking in their sleep, or waking too early, outside guidance is wise.

Causes to consider include:

• Reaction to new medication
• Development of pain or physical illness
• Worsening anxiety or depression
• Hormonal changes, such as menopause

In these cases, you can record patterns and speak to the individual about their experiences. Sharing this information with healthcare staff will help them decide on the best next steps.

Sleep and Mental Health

Mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can affect sleep. Poor sleep can then make mental health symptoms worse, creating a cycle. If sleep problems are ongoing for someone with a known mental health condition, professional review is often necessary.

Situations may include:

• A person with depression who is sleeping 15 hours a day
• A person with bipolar disorder unable to sleep during a manic phase
• Someone with PTSD waking multiple times with nightmares

Mental health specialists can review medication, offer talking therapies, and give targeted advice about routines and coping strategies.

Pain-related Sleep Issues

Pain is a common reason people cannot rest. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or recovering injuries can disturb sleep, especially if movement during the night causes discomfort.

You may need more information or assistance if:

• The person is reluctant to move from bed in the morning due to night pain
• Current pain relief no longer works
• Sleep position affects breathing or pressure area risk

Healthcare staff can assess pain management, seating, bedding, or physiotherapy options to improve comfort.

Impact of Medication on Sleep

Some medications can cause insomnia, vivid dreams, or increased sleepiness. New prescriptions should be monitored for side effects. Assistance from a pharmacist, nurse, or GP may be needed if the impact is significant.

Examples:

• Blood pressure tablets that cause nightmares
• Steroid medication causing broken sleep
• Strong painkillers leading to daytime drowsiness

Changing the time a medication is taken, adjusting doses, or switching to an alternative can often help.

Sleep Issues in Children and Young People

In children, poor sleep can affect growth, learning, and behaviour. Sleep problems might be linked to illness, emotional changes, or development disorders such as autism.

Situations where extra support is needed:

• A child waking repeatedly and unable to settle without a parent or carer
• A young person with ADHD staying up into the night and exhausted during the day
• A child with epilepsy whose night seizures affect rest

Specialist paediatric advice will ensure the cause is understood and the right support is given.

Sleep in Older Adults

Older adults may experience lighter sleep, frequent waking, or increased napping during the day. Health conditions, medication, and environment can all contribute. Some sleep issues in older people may be warning signs of other health issues such as dementia, depression, or urinary problems.

You may need more information or assistance if:

• There are sudden changes to normal patterns
• The person is confused or more forgetful after poor sleep
• Night waking increases risk of falls or injury

Gaining advice can help identify whether the cause is medical, psychological, or environmental.

Dementia and Sleep

People with dementia may experience changes to their body clock, which can result in day-night reversal, increased confusion in the evening (sometimes called sundowning), and wandering at night.

You may need to seek assistance when:

• The person is at risk of falling or leaving the building unsafely during the night
• Sleep disruption affects carer health and wellbeing
• Hallucinations or agitation increase during night-time hours

Specialist dementia nurses, occupational therapists, and GPs can suggest safety measures and therapeutic approaches.

Sleep Problems Linked to Lifestyle

Diet, caffeine, alcohol, and physical activity can all affect sleep. In some cases, you may need more information from a nutritionist, health visitor, or wellbeing advisor to support better routines.

Examples:

• A person drinking high amounts of caffeinated drinks into the night
• Minimal activity during the day leading to low sleep drive
• Eating large heavy meals late at night affecting rest

Small lifestyle changes can make a large difference, but the person may need extra input and encouragement from outside the care team.

Environmental Factors Affecting Sleep

Noise, light, room temperature, and bedding can all impact quality of sleep. In care settings, shared rooms or night-time checks may disturb rest. In the home, outside noise from roads or neighbours can cause disruption.

You may need additional help to assess and improve sleeping conditions by:

• Liaising with maintenance staff for repairs or blackout blinds
• Requesting occupational therapy input on suitable bedding or equipment
• Referring to environmental health when outside noise is severe

Sleep and Recovery From Illness or Surgery

Recovery places extra demands on the body. If a person cannot sleep during this time, healing can be slower. Pain, hospital routines, or stress can all contribute.

Assistance might be needed when:

• Sleep loss is delaying discharge from hospital
• The person is low in mood due to fatigue
• Night-time monitoring or nursing care causes disruption

Health professionals can adjust care routines, review pain control, or provide relaxation techniques.

Shift Work and Sleep

Some individuals in supported living or sheltered accommodation may work shifts. This can lead to irregular sleep schedules, affecting health. Lack of rest can impair work performance and increase risk of accidents.

In these cases, an occupational health adviser or specialist nurse may be needed to give advice on:

• Creating a sleep-friendly routine for unusual hours
• Managing light exposure
• Adjusting diet and activity to fit the schedule

Cultural and Religious Practices

Some cultural or religious beliefs affect sleep patterns, such as fasting during Ramadan which can shift meal and sleep times. Understanding the individual’s needs and getting guidance from cultural liaison workers or faith leaders can support respectful care while promoting good rest.

Situations include:

• Adjusting night monitoring during religious events
• Supporting altered meal times
• Understanding when to offer rest opportunities during the day

Monitoring and Assessing Sleep

In many cases, before referring for further assistance, you will need to gather accurate information. This may involve:

• Keeping sleep diaries
• Observing patterns over days or weeks
• Recording times of waking and sleeping
• Noting related behaviours or symptoms

Sharing these records with health professionals can speed up assessment and treatment.

Involving Family and Carers

Families often see patterns or triggers that care staff might miss. Talking with them can guide your understanding of the problem. If carers are extremely tired themselves from night-time support, they may also need assistance or respite.

Final Thoughts

Sleep is vital for physical health, mental wellbeing, and quality of life. Many factors can disturb it, from medical conditions to environmental noise. In health and social care, you will often be in the best position to notice problems early. When you identify a change or concern, seeking more information and involving the right professionals can prevent further harm.

By recognising the signs early and knowing who to involve, you can play a key part in improving a person’s rest. In turn, this can help with mood, recovery, independence, and day-to-day comfort. Sleep is not a luxury in care; it is a basic need, and noticing when help is required is part of providing the best support possible.