The 1998 Commonwealth Fund Survey on Women's Health offers a nationally representative sample for examining health implications of caregiving on the caregivers. Most surveys and recent studies of caregivers focus on specific populations of patients with specific chronic conditions and their caregivers. The Commonwealth Fund survey provides a profile of caregivers, and data for an examination of the health implications of caregiving for women by comparing the health status of women who are caregivers with other women. Among women caregivers, 22% were caring for a sick child, 23% a spouse or partner, and 39% a parent or in-laws. Women caregivers were significantly more likely to report fair or poor health status, to have been diagnosed with anxiety or depression, and to report having a chronic illness. Women caregivers were also twice as likely to report a time in the past year when they did not get needed medical care over the past year. The stress and related costs of informal caregiving may be far greater than generally calculated if we begin to examine and document the health implications of caregiving, and women's less than optimal care-seeking behaviors.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, students will be able to discuss the health implications of informal caregiving on women and will be able to describe the use of medical services (and unmet needs) by informal caregivers
Keywords: Caregivers, Women
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.