Care to sleep? Daily caregiving and sleep problems in an ageing European population.

Abstract

Informal caregiving is increasingly common in our ageing population and entering the role of informal caregiver generally marks an important life course transition. The adjustment to such transitions is considered important for the onset of sleep problems. Therefore, this study aims to establish how becoming a daily caregiver is associated with sleep problems, if changes in caregiving status are related to changes in sleep problems and how intersections with other social roles affect this association. Based on data from waves 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (N=32,791), the analyses show how both current and former daily caregivers are more likely to report sleep problems than those not giving daily care. When change in sleep problems is assessed a transition to daily caregiving appears to be accompanied by increased sleep problems. Moreover, even individuals who ceased giving care experience more sleep problems than those who never gave care on a daily basis, which suggests a legacy of caregiving. No differences are found regarding employment status, but women who start giving care are more likely to experience sleep problems than their male counterparts.