EXPERIENCES OF OLDER CAREGIVERS FOR PERSONS WITH MAJOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Across developed nations, relatives often provide high levels of caregiving to persons with major psychiatric disorders (PD), with it being estimated that there are more than 8 million such caregivers in the U.S. Caregivers for persons with PD is an aging population and more than 40% of such caregivers are at least 60 years of age. Surprisingly, caregiving provided by older persons to persons with PD has received little attention from researchers and practitioners. Using a U.S. community recruited sample of 741 older (60+) caregivers for persons with PD, the present analysis describes the experiences and perceived impacts of caregiving by older persons. Caregivers provided caregiving for a median of 10 hours a week and had provided caregiving for a median of 10 years. 46% reported that as a caregiver they feel alone and 45% described caring for a person with PD as very emotionally stressful. 22% described their health as fair or poor, with an entire 56% reporting that caregiving worsened their health. Finally, 45% reported having difficulty talking to others about the recipient of care’s mental health issues. Many older caregivers are not in contact with traditional mental health providers; aging professionals should assess and address the impacts of caregiving on said persons. Older caregivers experiencing emotional and physical strain may benefit from being referred to family psychoeducation and/or to treatment agencies that may be able to alleviate the burden of care. Socially isolated older caregivers or those perceiving stigmatization may benefit from attending social support services.