Family members with mental health problems caring for older relatives: Implications for them and the care recipient

Abstract

Little has been reported about caregiving dynamics when the identified caregiver experiences mental health problems (MHCG). This paper presents findings from a study examining the reported experience of family caregivers providing care to elders when the caregiver has a mental health problem. Funded by an RO1 grant from the National Institute on Aging, the second Family Relations in Later Life project is a five year study of long-term caregiving to older persons. A total of 444 caregiving dyads recruited from three areas of the U.S. were administered 18 standardized measures related to the caregiving experience. We found that 18% of the caregivers reported having identified psychiatric problems and in 5% of the dyads both the caregiver and care recipient experienced psychiatric problems. Care recipients of MH caregivers reported being less socially isolated and receiving more instrumental support from their caregivers than did non-MH care recipients. MH caregivers reported higher levels of resentment concerning caregiving activities and more frequent angry responses to caregiving situations than the control group. For all caregivers who reported seeking mental health treatment, 79% were MH caregivers. However, only 30% of the MH caregivers had sought mental health treatment within the past year. Persons with mental health problems providing care to family members are believed to do so at their own risk, as caregiving duties can exacerbate their MH problems and may deter them from seeking needed services. Identifying the needs of MH caregivers may avert their own decline as well as those of the care recipients.Poster Presentatio