A study published today by the National Alliance for Caregiving, in conjunction with the pharmaceutical company Pfizer details the emotional balance of family caregivers when the person they care for suffers from memory impairment. The findings of the study report that that although caregiver stress can be a significant challenge, the benefits of caring for a loved one often equate to better relationships and improved self-awareness.
The report, “Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer’s or Dementia” describes the 1,000 person study of caregivers who provide unpaid services to those with disease or age-related mental decline. The results show:
- 65% feel that it gives them an opportunity to “give back”
- 46% experienced stronger personal relationships with the loved one receiving care
- 44% say that they now live more “in the moment”
Many also reported that their outlook on life had also been greatly improved:
- 67% are more grateful
- 60% are more accepting
- 56% are more patient
- 51% are more assertive
However, negative opinions of the caregiving experience were just as common:
- 61% feel that they are highly stressed
- 40% feel that they should be doing more to help their loved one
- 39% report feelings of self-anger for becoming frustrated while providing care
It should also be noted that caregiver sentiment was generally correlated with the severity of symptoms displayed and their ability to choose whether or not to assume their caregiving role:
- Only 31% of those of those who report moderate to severe symptoms rated their situation as positive
- Those who report having no choice in assuming their current roles were half as likely to suggest that they have had a positive experience (22% compared to 44% of those who did have a choice)
