Open AccessSleep Disturbance and Strain Among Caregivers of Persons Living With Dementia
Author(s) -
Zainab Toteh Osakwe,
Charles Senteio,
Omonigho Michael Bubu,
Chinedu U. Obioha,
Arlener D. Turner,
Sujata Thawani,
Rose Calixte,
Girardin JeanLouis
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
frontiers in aging neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.827
H-Index - 78
ISSN - 1663-4365
DOI - 10.3389/fnagi.2021.734382
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , odds , logistic regression , odds ratio , sleep disorder , sleep (system call) , gerontology , family caregivers , cross sectional study , demography , psychiatry , insomnia , disease , pathology , sociology , computer science , operating system
Objective The study objective was to examine predictors of sleep disturbance and strain among caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD). Methods This cross-sectional study utilized a sample of community-dwelling older adults and their family caregivers drawn from the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association between caregiver and PLWD characteristics and a composite measure of caregiving strain. High caregiving strain was defined as a total score of ≥ 5 on the 6 caregiving strain items (e.g., emotional difficulty, no time for self). We used multivariable proportional odds models to examine predictors of caregiver sleep-related outcomes (trouble falling back to sleep and interrupted sleep), after adjusting for other caregiver and PLWD factors. Results Of the 1,142 family caregivers, 65.2% were female, 15% were Black, and 14% were Hispanic. Average age was 60 years old. Female caregivers were more likely to report high level of strain compared to male caregivers (OR: 2.61, 95% CI = 1.56, 4.39). Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic caregivers had reduced odds of reporting greater trouble falling back asleep [OR = 0.55, CI (0.36, 0.82) and OR = 0.56, CI (0.34, 0.91), respectively]. The odds of reporting greater trouble falling back asleep was significantly greater among caregivers with high blood pressure vs. caregivers without high blood pressure [OR = 1.62, CI (1.12, 2.33)]. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, caregivers with greater sleep difficulty (trouble falling back asleep) were more likely to report having high blood pressure. We found no racial/ethnic differences in interrupted sleep among caregivers to PLWD. These results suggest that interventions to improve sleep among caregivers to PLWD may decrease poor cardiovascular outcomes in this group.