Sleep study for carers

A Queensland researcher is embarking on a national research project that aims to help dementia carers get a better night’s sleep.

Dr Sandy Sacre from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is looking for primary carers of people with dementia to participate in the wide-ranging study.

Participants will receive an information package with strategies designed to improve sleep patterns, and will be surveyed before and after trialling them.

Dr Sacre said there are three potential benefits for people who take part in the survey: they may sleep better; they will be helping researchers help others; and they will go into a draw to win a $100 Coles/Myer voucher.

“We are looking for people who care for someone with dementia at home, who have been that person’s primary carer for at least six months, and who have noticed changes in their own sleep patterns,” she said.

“It’s also important that participants aren’t currently taking any regular sedative medication and that they don’t suffer from sleep apnoea or a similar sleep disorder.”

The research will be conducted by mail and telephone, so participants are welcome from all over Australia.

Individual names and questionnaires will remain confidential.

The project is being funded by the Queensland Nursing Council.

For more information, contact Dr Sacre by 28 February on 07 3138 3022 or ats.sacre@qut.edu.au