Sleep disturbance has long been reported in caregivers of dementia patients; yet, few studies have focused on the specific nature, magnitude, and correlates of disturbed sleep, especially in caregivers with few material resources. Purpose. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (a) to describe dementia caregivers’ daily experience including nighttime sleep, nighttime care activities that interfere with sleep, and daytime thoughts and feelings; and (b) identify correlates of caregivers’ sleep-wake patterns that deserve further study because, if modified, they may lead to improved caregiver sleep and well-being and possibly keep patients in the home longer. Theoretical Framework. These correlates may be within-subject factors that vary from day to day (e.g. adherence to sleep hygiene principles; amount of nighttime care required by the dementia patient) and/or between-subject factors that are somewhat more stable (e.g., amount of caregiver burden; age, and physical and mental health of the caregiver). Outcomes of interest are caregivers’ mood states and intention to institutionalize their afflicted family member. Subjects. A total of 40 caregivers of Medicaid recipients living in the Detroit area are being recruited for the study. Methods. Data collection is now in progress. Within-subject variables are being measured for 14 days using Actigraphy, sleep-wake logs, and mood scales. Caregivers’ physical health, reactions to caregiving, and symptoms of depression are being monitored. Based on sleep values estimated during the first author’s completed meta-analytic grants establishing how sleep changes with age, the specific nature and magnitude of caregiver sleep disruption will be described. Data reduction techniques will be used to construct composite variables for manifest path modeling. By conference time, the authors will be able to demonstrate how much caregivers’ sleep deviates from normal for similarly-aged adults and report progress in identifying within and/or between subject factors that account for disturbed sleep in this underserved population.
Session #1219 - Poster Session I
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)