May 30, 2023; Unhurry Expert Research Team
In This Article
The health problems of older patients with cancer were linked to a poorer quality of life for their caregivers, including poorer emotional health, cited a study published in the American Geriatrics Society. Caregivers may even experience more emotional health challenges (such as anxiety, depression, and distress) than the people they care for, the researchers added.
No significant study has examined the relationship between providing care for elderly cancer patients and carers’ emotional well-being or quality of life up until this point. Recently, researchers studied a group of adults aged 70 or older who had advanced cancer (as well as other challenges).
The number of informal caregivers who look after older adults with cancer is on the rise. Caregivers could be relatives, partners, or even friends who provide assistance to people in order to help them function.
Act of providing care can be taxing on the physical and mental health of the carer
Most elderly cancer patients reside at home and rely on unpaid informal carers for assistance with everyday tasks, symptom management, and cancer treatment. The act of providing care can be taxing on the physical and mental health of the carer, so it’s critical to make sure the right supports are in place.
This study used information from older patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers from local oncology practices enrolled in the “Improving Communication in Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers” study conducted through the University of Rochester National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program Research Base between October 2014 and April 2017. Results from the study were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Cancer patient’s poor health also associated with caregiver distress
The researchers learned that the health problems of older patients with cancer were linked to a poorer quality of life for their caregivers, including poorer emotional health. This fact is confirmed by many other studies, which show that caregivers may even experience more emotional health challenges (such as anxiety, depression, and distress) than the people they care for, the researchers added.
“What’s more, poorer patient health (measured by a geriatric assessment) was also associated with higher levels of caregiver distress,” mentioned the study.
The average caregiver in the study was 66 years old, though 49 percent of the caregivers were aged 70 or older. The majority of caregivers were female and white (non-Hispanic), and 67 percent were the patient’s spouse or partner who lived with them.
Close to 40 percent of the caregivers had serious chronic illnesses of their own. Nearly half (43.5 percent) said they experienced moderate to high distress, 19 percent reported having symptoms of depression, and 24 percent were anxious.
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Older caregivers experienced less anxiety and depression
Interestingly, older caregivers experienced less anxiety and depression and better mental health, said the researchers. However, they were in poorer physical health. Being female was associated with experiencing less distress. An income of more than $50,000 a year also was linked to better physical and mental health.
Routines to help caregiver’s mental and physical health
The researchers concluded that caregivers for older patients with advanced cancer are a vulnerable group. Thankfully, there are strategies caregivers can incorporate into their routines to help keep their own health and well-being top-of-mind.
A caregiver can talk with a healthcare provider about their own stress related to caregiving. The healthcare provider may suggest ways to address the burdens a caregiver may experience with caregiving. There are strategies that have been found to help with specific tasks and challenges, decrease caregiver stress, and improve quality of life.
Story Source:
Materials provided by the American Geriatrics Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
Lee A. Kehoe, Huiwen Xu, Paul Duberstein, Kah Poh Loh, Eva Culakova, Beverly Canin, Arti Hurria, William Dale, Megan Wells, Nikesha Gilmore, Amber S. Kleckner, Jennifer Lund, Charles Kamen, Marie Flannery, Mike Hoerger, Judith O. Hopkins, Jane Jijun Liu, Jodi Geer, Ron Epstein, Supriya G. Mohile. Quality of Life of Caregivers of Older Patients with Advanced Cancer. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2019; DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15862
Page citation:
American Geriatrics Society. “Caring for an older adult with cancer comes with emotional challenges for caregivers, too.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 April 2019. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190402124355.htm>.
Help is here:
Toll-Free Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline Kiran (1800-599-0019)
Name of the Organisation: Indian Cancer Society
The ICS is one of the first voluntary, non-profit, National Organization for Awareness, Detection, Cure and Survivorship of those affected with this disease.
Website: https://www.indiancancersociety.org/
Contact: email: info@indiancancersociety.org
Telephone: +91- 22-2413 9445 / 5 CANCER HELPLINE: 1800-22-1951
Name of the Organisation: Vandrevala Foundation
Vandrevala Foundation is a non-profit that partners with organizations to help communities thrive by providing education and healthcare. Vandrevala Foundation launched a mental health helpline in India in 2009 to offer free psychological counselling and crisis mediation to anyone who is experiencing distress due to depression, trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness, and relationship conflict.
Website: http://www.vandrevalafoundation.com
Contact: Email: info@vandrevalafoundation.com
Telephone: +91 9999 666 555