The main family caregiver needs care too
Caregiver strain is a health concern. In a US study of older spouses, people who both provided care and reported emotional strain had about 63% higher mortality than non-caregiving controls. Caregivers who did not report strain showed no clear increase. The concern is sustained strain, not the assumption that caregiving itself must be harmful.
What it takes
Sharing tasks may or may not involve paid services. Arrange attention to the caregiver's own health rather than allowing it to disappear from the schedule.
What you may gain
A prospective cohort in four US communities followed 392 caregivers and 427 non-caregivers aged 66–96, all living with a spouse, during 1993–1998 for an average of 4.5 years. Over four years, 103 participants, 12.6%, died. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, existing illness, and subclinical cardiovascular disease, caregivers reporting mental or emotional strain had RR 1.63 for mortality, 95% CI 1.00–2.65. Caregivers without reported strain had RR 1.08, 0.61–1.90, and people whose spouse was disabled but who did not provide care had RR 1.37, 0.73–2.58; neither showed a statistically clear increase.
Context & considerations
Disputed strength of inference: the lower confidence limit is exactly 1.00, so the estimate is borderline. Participants were older Americans caring for older spouses; applying the same figure to care of younger disabled relatives is an extrapolation. Share tasks where possible and ask local Chinese disabled persons' federations or civil affairs departments about respite, supported care, and day services. Keep the caregiver's own chronic treatment on track; see chapter 16, entry 1. The beneficiary here is the caregiver.
Research & references
Schulz R, Beach SR (1999). Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality: the Caregiver Health Effects Study. JAMA, 282(23), 2215–2219. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.282.23.2215