A weighted blanket can work wonders for someone with sleep problems. There are many causes of sleep problems in older adults. These can include illness, pain, medications, or worry and anxiety. This can mean having trouble falling asleep, waking up during the night, pacing, and tossing and turning in bed. There is a link between poor sleep and restlessness while awake, which creates a vicious cycle that affects quality of life. This pattern must be broken.
When purchasing a weighted blanket for someone in a nursing home, care facility, or similar setting, there are a few important factors to consider—both from a practical and a safety perspective.
Normally, the severity of sleep problems, restlessness, and anxiety determines how heavy the comforter should be. When working with older adults, different guidelines apply. Since the physical condition of older users may be impaired, we recommend choosing a lighter blanket first, weighing about 4–6 kg. If necessary, and if the person is deemed to be in good physical condition, you can go up to 8 kg.
Would you like advice on how to choose a weighted blanket for older adults? Contact us! You’ll find our contact information below.
The product should be approved for use in a healthcare setting. Only safe and medically appropriate medical devices and the information systems connected to them should be used. The product should be flame-resistant.
It should be washable at a temperature of at least 60 degrees to ensure proper hygiene. The product should also be separable so that it can accommodate the washing machine’s maximum load.
To avoid discomfort, it is important that the user be able to move freely under the blanket
To use the blanket safely, it is very important that the person using it be able to remove it if necessary
A case study from Japan shows that weighted blankets lead to fewer awakenings and reduced nighttime wandering, according to a study of people with Alzheimer’s.
In a study conducted in 2008 and published in the journal *Occupational Therapy in Mental Health*, Brian Mullen et al. conducted a study on the effects of using weighted blankets. The study was conducted among older adults in long-term care facilities.
The results of the study were positive: 63 percent of the participants experienced less anxiety, and 78 percent preferred the weighted blanket to help them fall asleep and feel calm.
There are several characteristics of the weighted blanket that lead to these anxiety-reducing results. First and foremost, it creates pressure that feels similar to being embraced or hugged. This effect is often referred to as Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS). Further research shows that DPS has a calming effect on children and adults who experience anxiety or worry.
A Swedish study from 2022 examined the effects of weighted blankets on residents of nursing homes. A total of 68 older adults participated in the study. The study focused on factors such as quality of life, sleep, diet, cognition, and medication.
The results showed that, following the weighted blanket intervention, overall health—including quality of life—improved. Sleep also improved significantly, particularly in terms of nighttime awakenings. Appetite improved, cognitive function improved, and medication use in the psychoanaleptic group decreased.
Would you like help figuring out how to choose the right weight for a weighted blanket, or do you have other questions? Contact Novista at +46 (0)431-49 13 10 or info@novista.se
