Purpose: This study was done to examine sleep patterns and behaviors of sleep disorders among 47 hospitalized elders with dementia. Nursing activities for intervening in sleep disorders were also investigated. Method: Data were collected through a review of patient records, observation and a questionnaire survey of nurses and formal caregivers. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used for data analysis. Results: The average number of awakenings during sleep was 1.68, with the average duration of 1 hour and 34 minutes a night. The average number of naps a day was 1.36. On the average, night sleep efficiency was 82.25%. Hypnotic medicine was regularly prescribed to 78.26% of the elders. Elders taking prescribed hypnotic medicine had higher scores for difficulty in falling asleep and walking around at night or other inappropriate behaving at night compared to elders not taking such medicine. The average score for nursing activities related to sleep disorders was 3.07, indicating \'use occasionally,\' with the highest score being for interventions to prevent noise in the sleeping area. Conclusion: Nurses need to use interventions for sleep disorders in elders with dementia to decrease the need for prescriptions of hypnotic medicine and more attention should be given to promoting daytime activities.