Ever notice how some residents seem groggy even after breakfast? Maybe they’re just tired—or maybe there’s more going on. Thanks to new research, we now have an unexpected way of detecting sleepiness in senior living communities that doesn’t rely on complex equipment or hard-to-spot symptoms.

A UCLA-led study recently found that Verbal Reaction Time (VRT)—the time it takes a person to respond verbally—can indicate how sleepy someone is. The researchers measured VRT during standard cognitive assessments and discovered a strong link between delayed responses and reported sleepiness. Even better, the method worked passively and with surprising accuracy. In fact, the voice data correctly detected whether someone was speaking or silent with 92.5% accuracy, according to the UCLA Health press release.

Lead author Dr. Tue T. Te explained that something as simple as how quickly someone begins speaking can offer insight into their level of alertness. As he shared with the McKnight’s Long-Term Care News report, this opens up new possibilities for using speech patterns as a passive, scalable way to monitor daytime drowsiness.

Now, imagine doing your mid-morning walk-through of the community. Activities are in full swing, the coffee’s flowing, and residents are milling about—but how many are quietly staring into the distance, unengaged and slow to respond? That might not just be a quiet moment—it could be sleepiness. Try the “talk test”: ask a question and watch for delay. If their reply is sluggish, it may be a sign they’re not getting quality rest.

And don’t forget the night shift. Consider scheduling subtle check-ins around midnight to see how many residents are awake. Chronic insomnia often flies under the radar, yet it can wreck a resident’s energy during the day. A little informal sleep study could uncover important patterns.

Sure, it may sound like a simple fix—but sleep quality can make or break a resident’s day. If they’re too tired to participate, socialize, or even eat well, they’re missing out on the very things that make your community feel like home. Detecting sleepiness in senior living communities might just be the first step toward helping your residents feel truly awake—and truly alive.

Stay well and stay informed!