NightCAP: Reducing Hypnotic Drug Use and Improving Night-time Care

Dementia is a devastating condition characterised by progressive loss of cognition leading to loss of independence and eventually death. One major unmet need, which remains a critical challenge for care provision, is the management of night-time care and sleep-related symptoms in people with dementia living in care homes. The causes and impacts of sleep disturbances in people with dementia in care homes are complex and multi-faceted, indicating the need of a whole-systems approach to the issue. It will require a tailored, person-centred approach which accounts for the environmental, personal and clinical factors contributing to the symptoms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the NightCAP intervention to improve treatment of sleep disturbance in people with dementia in care homes, with the goal of reducing sleep disturbance behaviour and reducing the use of hypnotic drugs. This will provide robust evidence to support guidance on night time care and improving hypnotic drug prescribing, both of which are major unmet needs in the care of people with dementia.