Can caring for family members actually make you healthier?

Good news for family caregivers!  While much has been published the last few years about the frustration, pressure and ill effects of caring for family members, a recent study from John Hopkins University contradicts this.

     According to healthcanal.com, “In a report published in the current online version of the American Journal of Epidemiology, researchers found that providing care for a chronically ill or disabled family member not only fails to increase health risk, but also is associated with a nine-month extension in life expectancy over the six-year period of the study.”

     First author of the study, David Roth, PhD, director of the Johns Hopkins University Center on Aging and Health, stated, “Taking care of a chronically ill person in your family is often associated with stress, and caregiving has been previously linked to increased mortality rates.  Our study provides important new information on the issue of whether informal family caregiving responsibilities are associated with higher or lower mortality rates as suggested by multiple conflicting previous studies.”

     The study analyzed previously gathered data on more than 3,000 family caregivers who assisted chronically ill or disabled family members.

      Roth added, “In many cases, caregivers report receiving benefits of enhanced self-esteem, recognition and gratitude from their care recipients. Thus, when caregiving 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.”

     Roth confronted the stereotypes of overburdened and dangerously stressed-out caregivers, “Negative public health and media portrayals of the risk of family caregiving may do a disservice by portraying caregiving as dangerous, and could potentially deter family members from taking on what can be a very satisfying and healthy family role. Public discussions of caregiving should more accurately balance the potential risks and gains of this universal family role.”

     He continued, “If highly stressful situations can be avoided or managed effectively, caregiving may actually offer some health benefits for both the care recipients and the caregivers, including reduced risk of death for those providing care.”

     What about those individuals who do feel fatigued or burdened by caring for a family member or have experienced ill health as a result? It seems research is providing glimpses into how the caregiver can protect his/her health. For example, gratitude may play a helpful role. According to University of California psychology professor Robert Emmons, “Gratitude research is beginning to suggest that feelings of thankfulness have tremendous positive value in helping people cope with daily problems, especially stress.”

     Emmons’ own research has included having participants write down five things they were thankful for each week.  Among other things, Emmons found that those in the gratitude group reported fewer health problems than the other participants.

     For about five years, I was the primary care-giver for my mom, who needed much physical assistance.  Working from home, I was able to provide 24-hour care for this family member.  Although there were many times when I felt pressured and stressed, I also felt each day was an opportunity to give back the care my mom had given me as a child. 

     I found that giving this care really blessed my life in many ways – I became a stronger individual, more patient and empathetic. Instead of feeling “wiped out” at the end of the day – I often felt invigorated and energized by the love and gratitude we shared. 

     There was a Bible verse that helped me a lot during this time.  It states, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118: 24).  I really tried to find joy each day.  I endeavored to find things to be happy about, and encouraged my mom to do the same – and we were happy.  I remember those years as healthful ones for me.  There were no ill effects from giving this care.

     More and more adults are providing regular care for their parents, so it is good to see this shift in thinking (and statistics) about the impacts on caregivers. Instead of being detrimental, caring for another can have positive effects on one’s wellbeing, including one’s health!

Thomas (Tim) Mitchinson is a self-syndicated columnist writing on the relationship between thought, spirituality and health, and trends in that field.  He is also the media spokesman for Christian Science in Illinois.  You can contact him at illinois@compub.org.