Informal Caregiving for the Elderly: Current Research Findings and Future Directions

• Activity Number: 469
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Thursday, August 11, 2005 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Caucus for Women in Statistics
• Author(s): Judith J. McCann*+
• Companies: Rush University Medical Center
• Keywords: informal caregiving ; chronic illness ; older adults ; consequences of caregiving ; family caregivers

Abstract

Caring for a chronically ill family member represents an important societal and financial contribution toward the well-being of older Americans. However, this benefit often comes at a high cost to the caregivers, most of whom are women. Many caregivers report stress from balancing caregiving, work, and other family responsibilities, and some caregivers experience increased morbidity and mortality relative to noncaregivers. Employed caregivers report missing work, coming late, leaving early, and work interruptions related to caregiving responsibilities. Female caregivers are more likely than male caregivers to interrupt employment or quit a job because of caregiving demands, which can result in loss of pension, social security, and insurance benefits. It also may contribute to "the feminization of poverty." As health care resources become more scarce and the number of people living to very old ages increases, the demand for informal care will escalate and the issues of informal caregiving will become more pressing. This presentation will explore the research on informal caregiving to older adults as it relates to women across the life span. Supported by NIH grants AG16732 & AG10315.