Caring for a Spouse May Increase Lifespan

By Richard Shank

Numerous studies demonstrate that prolonged care for family and friends can be bad for your health, often citing the conflicts that arise with other important roles and obligations (i.e. employment). These conflicts can be so severe that they can lead to job loss, physical health problems, and depression.

However, a new study has outlined the conditions under which caregiving can actually benefit the health of the caregiver.

Researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of adults over the age of 70 years old. Their analysis focused on 1,700 married couples who were followed for seven years (beginning in 1993).

At the beginning of the study, each respondent was asked how much help they received from their spouse along with a list of everyday activities it involved. The activities included eating, dressing and bathing, preparing meals, managing money, and taking medications. Only 19% of married individuals reported receiving help from their spouses. About half of these married individuals received at least 14 hours of care per week from their spouse.

During the course of this study, nearly 27% of the original sample had passed away. Interestingly, the researchers discovered that those adults who were providing at least 14 hours of care a week for their spouses were significantly less likely to die by the end of the study period.

The researchers believed the reasoning behind this phenomenon was due to the social, emotional, and physical benefits they received from the process of caregiving. These spouses were intimately involved in the care of their loved ones. In addition, they were also providing care for their spouses at a time in their lives when their obligations to other family members and work are much less than before.

Source: University of Michigan press release.

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