24-HOUR CARE: WORK AND SLEEP CONDITIONS AMONG FILIPINO LIVE-IN CAREGIVERS IN LOS ANGELES

摘要

Live-in formal caregivers spend consecutive days in patients’ homes, raising questions about their ability to secure adequate sleep while on duty. Few studies have examined sleeping conditions and outcomes for this growing workforce. We collected weeklong sleep logs and interview data from 32 Filipino caregivers in Los Angeles who provide live-in services at least three consecutive days per week. We also utilized the Upworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Respondents recorded an average of 6.4 hours of sleep during workdays divided over 2.5 sleep periods. Caregivers reported significantly lower quality sleep while at work; more than 40% indicated excessive daytime sleepiness based on ESS scores. Female caregivers reported worse sleep outcomes than their male counterparts; some variations in sleep outcomes were also found by employment arrangements. Live-in caregivers experience frequent sleep interruptions at all hours of the day and night to attend to patients’ needs. The resulting impacts on sleep quality pose risks for both work-related injury and errors in patient care.