Fear of Falling and Sleep Disturbances in Spousal Care Dyads Affected by Dementia

This study examined associations between fear of falling and sleep outcomes in spousal care dyads affected by dementia. This was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and National Study of Caregiving, focusing on 126 community-dwelling spousal dyads in which the care recipient had possible or probably dementia. Insomnia severity was assessed for dyads. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses were performed. Care recipients with fear of falling reported significantly higher insomnia severity, as did their caregivers. However, in adjusted models, fear of falling was no longer significant. Positive emotion and sleep medication use were associated with sleep in care recipients, while psychological distress was associated with sleep in caregivers. Findings suggest the importance of assessment of fear of falling and psychological distress in dementia care. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and inform interventions.