Health of Vietnamese Older Adults and Caregiver’s Psychological Status in the United States: Result from the Vietnamese Aging and Care Survey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: We examined the association between care recipient’s physical, mental, and cognitive health conditions and caregivers’ psychological distress in Vietnamese older care recipients and their caregivers. Methods: The Vietnamese Aging and Care Survey was developed for care recipients, and adult-child and spousal caregivers, and inquired about their sociodemographics and health-related variables. Results: Data were collected on 58 caregiver-care recipient dyads. Adult-child and spousal caregivers were on average 43 and 70 years-old respectively. The vast majority were female (76%) and born in Vietnam (97%). Adult-child caregivers reported more caregiver burden than spousal caregivers. Care recipients were on average 75 years-old. Care recipients of adult-child caregivers reported more depressive symptoms than care recipients of spousal caregivers and were more likely to have mild dementia. Care recipients’ health had no effect on caregiver depressive symptoms but their educational attainment was associated with caregiver burden and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: This study showed care recipients and caregivers’ years of education were positively associated with caregivers’ psychological distress. Vietnamese families lived in ethnic enclaves and shared caregiving responsibilities within the family. However, using available outside resources may alleviate psychological distress of not only caregivers but also families as a whole. Clinical Implications: Healthcare professionals should encourage educated caregivers and educated care recipients to use outside resources to ease caregiving duties.