The Trouble with Caregivers

Caregivers do a wonderful job, and they don’t always get the recognition they deserve. However, there’s no doubt that being a caregiver is stressful and brings with it the real risk of depression. And there’s no arguing that some caregivers are better than others.

A survey done at Wake Forest University and published in the American Journal of the Geriatrics Society reported on the status of 5,700 dementia patients and their caregivers. Analysis showed that certain caregiver characteristics were associated with the severity of dementia symptoms in the patient. Thus caregivers who were younger, less educated, more depressed, or spent more time giving care, reported more dementia symptoms in their charges. For instance, younger caregivers reported 50% more behavioral problems in their patients than older caregivers. It seems that, while difficult patients contribute too caregiver burden and stress, the relationship seems to work both ways. Consider facilitating a change, if you’re in a position to do so.