HEALTH BEHAVIORS AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES OF INFORMAL CAREGIVERS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Abstract Differences exist in health behaviors and mental health outcomes between spouse and adult children caregivers and between caregivers of individuals with or without dementia. We aimed to examine the change in health behaviors and mental health outcomes of informal caregivers of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore disparities based on caregiver relationship and care recipient. Using the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) COVID-19 supplement for Family Members and Friends, our sample included adult family or friend caregivers of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older in the US (N = 2,062). We used ANOVA and two-way ANCOVA to assess the effects of the pandemic, caregiver relationship type, and care recipient condition (dementia vs. non-dementia) on seven health behaviors and two mental health outcomes. We performed all post hoc analyses using Bonferroni corrections controlling the covariates age, gender, marital status, education, and self-reported health of the caregiver. Compared to before the pandemic and to spouse caregivers, adult children caregivers reported: 1) significantly less time walking and significantly more time watching TV or online programs, and 2) a significantly higher level of emotional distress and depressive symptoms. Compared to caregivers for people without dementia, those who provide care for people with dementia experienced less sleep and a higher level of depressive symptoms during the pandemic than before the pandemic. Health professionals should consider the impact of COVID-19 and the vulnerability of adult children caregivers and caregivers of individuals with dementia when designing and delivering health and wellness programs.