Stress, Depression, Fatigue Propel Caregivers Into Downward Health Spiral
No author cited
Evercare and the National Alliance for Caregiving, September 2006
According to the "Evercare Study of Caregivers in Decline: A Close-up Look at the Health Risks of Caring for a Loved One," the stress and worry of caregiving lead millions of caregivers to neglect their own physical and mental health, resulting in depression, extreme fatigue, poor eating and exercise habits and greater use of medications. More than half (53 percent) surveyed said this downward health spiral also negatively affects their ability to provide care.
The study was released today by Evercare, a leading provider of health plans for people who have chronic or advanced illness, are older or have disabilities, and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), the nation's leading research authority on caregiving. There are more than 44 million caregivers in the U.S., with 21 percent of households containing at least one caregiver, and as the "Baby Boomers" turn 65, that number is expected to surge. When a previous study conducted in 2004 revealed 2.5 million caregivers in fair or poor health, Evercare and NAC recognized the importance of specifically taking a comprehensive look at the impact of caregiving on those caregivers' own health and wellness, and this is the first national study to do so.
An alarming nine in 10 (91 percent) caregivers surveyed – all in fair/poor health and having seen a decline in their health as a result of caregiving – suffer from depression, and eight in 10 (81 percent) of those with depression reported that caregiving has made their depression worse. Respondents cited stress as the most pervasive health problem in their lives, stemming from worry about their loved one's condition as well as being overwhelmed with caregiving responsibilities. In focus groups, caregivers recount how the stress emerges in various physical ailments, including increased blood pressure, heart attack scares, arthritis flare-ups, acid reflux, headaches and other symptoms.
Ninety percent say they worry more or feel more stress now than they did prior to becoming caregivers, and respondents cited lack of energy/sleep (87 percent), pain/aching (60 percent), and weight gain or loss (38 percent). As a result of this stress, 10 percent of respondents reported increased misuse of prescription drugs or alcohol and more than half (51 percent) report taking more medications. Moreover, 82 percent say that their sleeping habits are worse than before, while 63 percent say their eating habits and 58 percent say their exercising habits are worse than before.
The Evercare Study also found that, among caregivers surveyed, caregiving often replaces their own health maintenance. Despite being in fair or poor health and worsening health since becoming caregivers, nearly three in four (72 percent) admit they have not gone to the doctor as often as they should, and more than half (55 percent) have missed doctors' appointments. One in five women report having mammograms less often (21 percent) and a similar proportion of men are not as up to date with their prostate exams as they once were (23 percent). Also, 33 percent say they get their teeth cleaned less often, 29 percent neglect periodic vision tests, and 26 percent skip periodic physical exams.
The most common reasons given for not going to the doctor as often as necessary are putting their family's needs (67 percent) or care recipient's needs (57 percent) ahead of their own. Fifty-one percent say they don't have time to take care of themselves with their other responsibilities, and nearly half (49 percent) are too tired.
Among the other key findings of the study:
Although they often have family members or friends who could help them, they sometimes shoulder more responsibility than they have to because they don't ask for help. Support from family and friends has the potential to relieve their burden, but caregivers must overcome the barrier of asking for help. Among those surveyed:
Caregiving is a full-time job – respondents spend an average of 41 hours doing it.
