These include individuals with a history of depression, those who have fewer resources for coping from the outset, individuals who have been caregiving for longer than 6 months, and caregivers who have physical problems themselves. In the JAMA study, investigators from the University of Pittsburgh analyzed the rate of death in 4 years of 392 older spouses who were caregivers and 427 who were not. Compared with noncaregivers, caregivers who experienced strain had a 63 percent higher risk of death, and caregivers who didn't feel strained had an 8 percent higher risk of death. Individuals who weren't caregivers but who had disabled spouses had a 37 percent higher risk of death. Ms. Barg and colleagues will launch a formal study in January to see whether a program such as OncoLink's, which aims to reduce caregivers' anxieties by providing them with information in a supportive environment, can increase caregivers' skills and confidence, and stave off feelings of anxiety and strain.
Many complex factors enter into it.
Finally, it's important to be aware of and to utilize resources in the healthcare system that can alleviate some of the caregiving burden, such as home care, hospice services, and financial counseling services. But one of the biggest burdens on caregivers is fatigue caused by getting up every couple of hours to give medication, or every 4 hours to change the sheets, and not getting a decent night's sleep for weeks on end. And if they don't allow anyone into the home to give themselves a rest, they end up wearing themselves down to the point of physical and emotional exhaustion. Both patients and their caregivers should recognize that caregivers have needs and feelings, too, and that life has changed for both of them, says Ms. Barg. The information provided through OncoLink should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease.