If caring for a spouse with disabilities involved self reported strain, caregiver mortality was increased

Schulz R, Beach SR. Caregiving as a risk factor for mortality: the Caregiver Health Effects Study. JAMA1999 Dec 15; 282 : 2215 –9 [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] QUESTION: Do older adults who care for a spouse with disabilities have an increased risk of mortality? A cohort study with mean follow up of 4.5 years (Caregiver Health Effects Study, a part of the Cardiovascular Health Study). 4 communities in the US. 392 caregivers whose spouses had difficulties with ≥1 activity of daily living (ADL) or instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) because of physical or health problems or problems with confusion and 427 non-caregivers whose spouses did not have these difficulties. Mean age was 80 years (range 66–96 y), 51% were women, and 90% were white. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 y and plans to live in the study area for 3 years. Exclusion criteria were being wheelchair bound at home, … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.stitle%253DJAMA%26rft.aulast%253DSchulz%26rft.auinit1%253DR.%26rft.volume%253D282%26rft.issue%253D23%26rft.spage%253D2215%26rft.epage%253D2219%26rft.atitle%253DCaregiving%2Bas%2Ba%2BRisk%2BFactor%2Bfor%2BMortality%253A%2BThe%2BCaregiver%2BHealth%2BEffects%2BStudy%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.282.23.2215%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F10605972%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.282.23.2215&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10605972&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F3%2F3%2F90.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000084138600028&link_type=ISI