Informal Caregiving Linked to Sleep Problems

A new study published in Sleep found an elevation in the likelihood of sleep problems among people who spend more time in informal caregiving situations for a relative or loved one, reports Reuters . "Informal caregiving is common, and the need for carers is expected to grow due to population aging and cuts to social care services in various countries," notes King's College London's Lawrence Sacco. Analysis of 12,200 participants in the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health who were surveyed from 2010 through 2016 calculated about 85 percent of the respondents were not caregivers, while 12 percent spent one to five hours a week providing care and 2 percent spent anywhere from six to 15 hours caregiving. Sleep problems were more common among caregivers in general, and most common among those who spent more than five hours a week caregiving. Caregivers were more likely to be female and older, to be less educated, work less than 20 paid hours a week, and to report physical pain, chronic illness, poor health, and depression. No difference in sleep problems were observed between men who provided no care compared to those who provided up to five hours of caregiving, but women reported sleep problems at all caregiving levels. Barry Oken of Oregon Health and Science University thinks future research should examine what types and aspects of caregiving have the most effect on sleep. "Caregiving at home for someone with dementia or chronic pain may cause more problems with the care recipient's sleep and perhaps then the caregiver's sleep," he notes.