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If caring for a spouse with disabilities involved self reported strain, caregiver mortality was increased

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.3.3.90

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    Schulz R, Beach SR.Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality: the Caregiver Health Effects Study.JAMA1999 Dec 15;282:2215–9OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science

    QUESTION: Do older adults who care for a spouse with disabilities have an increased risk of mortality?

    Design

    A cohort study with mean follow up of 4.5 years (Caregiver Health Effects Study, a part of the Cardiovascular Health Study).

    Setting

    4 communities in the US.

    Participants

    392 caregivers whose spouses had difficulties with ≥1 activity of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) because of physical or health problems or problems with confusion and 427 non-caregivers whose spouses did not have these difficulties. Mean age was 80 years (range 66–96 y), 51% were women, and 90% were white. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 y and plans to live in the study area for 3 years. Exclusion criteria were being wheelchair bound at home, …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: National Institutes of Health.

    • For correspondence: Dr R Schulz, Department of Psychiatry and University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, 121 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Fax +1 412 624 4810.

    • A modified version of this abstract appears in Evidence Based Mental Health and ACP Journal Club.