Work

Impact of spouse caregiving on health behaviors and physical and mental health status

Year: 1994

Type: article

Abstract: The impact of caring for a spouse with a progressive dementia on caregiver's health behaviors and health status was examined. Data collected from 44 spouse caregivers indicates that: • Providing full-time care interferes with preventive health behaviors (eating nutritiously, exercising) and contributes to high risk behaviors (overeating, alcohol and substance use); • Health behaviors are frequently used as coping strategies; • Caregivers rated their own health as poorer than their spouse's health; and • Disabling (arthritis, cardiac and back problems) and stress-related health problems (migraines, colitis) are a consequence of and interfere with care provision.

Source: American Journal of Alzheimer s Disease & Other Dementias®

DOI: 10.1177/153331759400900105

Author: Cathleen M Connell

Institution: University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Nursing care and research

Subfield: Pharmacy

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging