Long work hours, prolonged daytime naps, and decreased cognitive performance in older adults

ABSTRACT

In the United States, labor force market projections show significant growth in older ages. With postponed retirement and age-related health changes, attention to work times and recuperative strategies related to cognitive performance remains necessary for safe practice. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between long work hours, daytime naps, and cognitive performance in older adults. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. A total sample of 308 workers were identified that had data on work hours, sleep-related parameters, and cognitive functioning. Around 42% of older adults were 70 to 74 years of age, and almost 73% of the sample worked < 40 hours/week. Workers on average slept 6.87 ± 1.27 hours, and nearly 43% reported daytime napping, with most naps being brief (≤ 45 minutes). Around 78% of the sample showed no signs of cognitive impairment. After controlling for covariates, older adults who worked ≥ 40 hours/week, compared to older adults who worked < 40 hours, had 2.07 (95%CI 1.03–4.18) increased odds for decreased cognitive performance. Older adults who took prolonged daytime naps (> 45 minutes), compared to those who took no naps, had 2.20 (95%CI 1.00–4.83) increased odds for decreased cognitive performance. No significant relationship was found between those who took brief daytime naps, compared to those who took no naps, and cognitive performance. Future research is needed to elucidate further the possible longitudinal effects of work times and daytime naps, which are modifiable, on cognitive performance in the aging workforce.

KEYWORDS:

• Employment
• elderly
• napping
• work hours
• cognitive performance
• healthy aging

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Health and Aging Trends Study (National Institute on Aging U01AG032947) for the data to conduct this secondary data analysis.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest, and are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.