A person is holding a white alarm clock in their hand.

Rethinking Bedtime: Why Person-Centred Care Matters in Supported Accommodation

The misconception that bedtime should be determined by developmental or cognitive age overlooks a fundamental principle of person-centred care. True inclusion and respectful support for adults with disabilities in supported accommodation means recognising and honouring each person's autonomy—even when it comes to something as personal and essential as sleep.

In this blog, we challenge the outdated idea that an individual's bedtime should align with their developmental age. Instead, we advocate for self-directed care that empowers residents to shape their own routines. Support staff in disability accommodation services play a critical role in this, promoting autonomy and ensuring individuals are aware of their right to make choices aligned with their preferences and lifestyles.

Living in shared accommodation or other forms of supported housing should never reduce a person's right to decide their daily routines, including when they sleep. Every individual, regardless of cognitive ability, has unique preferences and circadian rhythms—our internal body clocks—that influence their natural sleep-wake cycles. Ignoring these rhythms by enforcing a "developmental age-based" bedtime does a disservice to the principles of inclusive care.

For example, assuming that a 21-year-old with the cognitive functioning of a 13-year-old must follow a 13-year-old’s bedtime oversimplifies the complex realities of their needs. These harmful stereotypes can inadvertently restrict independence and diminish quality of life.

Instead, support staff should adopt a personalised approach to sleep that recognises each resident’s natural rhythm. Some individuals thrive with early bedtimes; others feel more rested with a later schedule. Respecting these differences can significantly enhance well-being and satisfaction in supported accommodation settings.

Training such as Plan and Grow reinforces the importance of person-centred, self-directed care. It equips support workers with the tools to facilitate open communication with clients and understand their legal rights, including the right to determine their own sleep times.

Ultimately, empowering individuals to make informed choices—like going to bed at midnight if they wish—creates a home environment built on dignity, autonomy, and respect. Supported accommodation should be a space where people with disabilities feel in control of their daily lives.

Self-directed living includes all areas of life, and sleep is no exception. When individuals are supported to live in a way that aligns with their values and preferences, they are more likely to experience a fulfilling, meaningful life on their own terms.