Some Caregivers Show Increased Life Expectancy

Despite previous findings, a recent study shows increased life expectancy among family caregivers.

According to researchers of a Johns Hopkins-led analysis that previously looked at information on more than 3,000 family caregivers, findings suggest that those who assist the chronically disabled or dying enjoy an 18 percent survival advantage compared to statistically matched caregivers. In fact, during the six year study period, results showed a nine-month extension in life expectancy.

"Taking care of a chronically ill person in your family is often associated with stress, and care giving has been previously linked to increased mortality rates," first author, David L. Roth, Ph.D., director of the Johns Hopkins University Center on Aging and Health said, via a press release. "Our study provides important new information on the issue of whether informal family care giving responsibilities are associated with higher or lower mortality rates as suggested by multiple conflicting previous studies."

Roth and his colleagues conducted an analysis based on information gathered from the Reasons for geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study. This study examined information from over 30,000 people, 45 and up, looking particularly at excess stroke risk among African-Americans living in the nation's Southeastern "stroke belt." The research team studied whether 3,503 family caregivers from REGARDS showed any differences in rates of deaths from all causes over a six-year period compared to a matched sample of 3,503 caregivers. All groups were matched based on 15 common variables that included things like demographics, health behaviors and health history.

"We did not find any subgroup of caregivers in the REGARDS sample that appeared to be vulnerable to increased mortality risks. This includes our analyses of all spouse caregivers and of the spouse caregivers who report experiencing some care giving strain," stated Roth, via the release. "In many cases, caregivers report receiving benefits of enhanced self-esteem, recognition and gratitude from their care recipients. Thus, when care giving is done willingly, at manageable levels, and with individuals who are capable of expressing gratitude, it is reasonable to expect that health benefits might accrue in those situations."

However, Roth cautioned others regarding certain limitations involving his study, such as various subgroups of caregivers that might show an increased risk of deaths given some instances.

"If highly stressful situations can be avoided or managed effectively, care giving may actually offer some health benefits for both the care recipients and the caregivers, including reduced risk of death for those providing care," Roth said. "Negative public health and media portrayals of the risk of family care giving may do a disservice by portraying care giving as dangerous, and could potentially deter family members from taking on what can be a very satisfying and healthy family role. Public discussions of care giving should more accurately balance the potential risks and gains of this universal family role."

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More information regarding the study can be found via the American Journal of Epidemiology.