Title | Psychosocial and Cognitive Health Differences by Caregiver Status Among Older Mexican Americans |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Herrera, AP, Mendez-Luck, CA, Crist, JD, Smith, MLee, Warre, R, Ory, MG, Markides, K |
Journal | Community Mental Health Journal |
Volume | 49 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 61 - 72 |
Date Published | 2/2013 |
Abstract | This study identifies the risk and protective factors associated with informal caregiving by older (≥70 years) Mexican Americans and profiles caregiving arrangements. Overall, a greater number of informal caregivers (n = 92) were married and female. They also had higher physical functioning and better cognition than non-caregivers (n = 1,888) but fewer visited a physician regularly. Informal caregivers also showed an increased risk of depressive symptoms. A third of caregivers spent more than 20 h/day caregiving and the majority (84%) of care recipients were family members. In order to support the efforts of this disproportionately burdened caregiver group, increased social support and healthcare services are needed. |
DOI | 10.1007/s10597-012-9494-1 |