Study:Caregiving Can Shorten Life Four to Eight Years

Most of us are aware that the stress of caregiving can affect the caregiver's health. I spent two decades involved in direct elder care, much of it with multiple elders. I know it was and is hard work and takes a toll through chronic stress. But an article on PsychCentral.com really brought this problem into sharp focus. To all caregivers: Get help. Get support. Talk to peers. It could save your life.

In an article titled, "Caregiver Stress Can Shorten Life," they stress that caregiving can shorten the caregiver's life four to eight years. The article begins:

"New research suggests the chronic stress that spouses and children develop while caring for Alzheimer’s disease patients may shorten the caregivers’ lives by as much as four to eight years.

The research also provides concrete evidence that the effects of chronic stress can be seen both at the genetic and molecular level in chronic caregivers’ bodies.

The findings, reported this month by researchers from Ohio State University and the federal National Institute of Aging, were published in the Journal of Immunology."

Read full article:

Comments

[Carol D. O'Dell]

Hi Carol,

I certainly realize that caregiver stress is real--and can be downright unhealthy. (I ught to know, I went through some pretty dark caregiving times).

I'm going to play the devil's advocate here--in hopes to explore this subject of caregiver stress furhter...(I'm truly not trying to argumentative here, that's not my agenda, I assure you).

Former President Clinton regarding his new book "Giving," states that many studies have shown that giving is good for us and adds years to our lives. He was referring more to volunteerism, but as we know, giving starts at home.

Some sacrifice, some sleepless nights, some exhaustion and frutration is inevitable whenn it comes to caregiving. Our bodies and lives are built to deal with some stress--our adrenaline reserves are remarkable.

But when is enough too much? How long can you/should you extend yourself for those you love? That's a tough call.

What about parents with imaired children? What are they to do?

You're so right when you mention--get help, ask for help, call out, cry out--don't go it alone.

Monotony and isolation are two BIG warning signs.

Good blog--and discussion--I hope I contributed something of value.

~Carol O'Dell
author of Mothering Mother

[Skip Jones]

Very Interesting!

I tend to attach even more significance to findings like these...backed with real human/ biological studies.

Thanks for the head's up!