Menu

Caring for the Caregivers

Executive Summary

As the population ages, more older adults are taking on the role of caregiver for their loved ones. Caregiving, while often rewarding and meaningful, can also be physically and emotionally challenging. This white paper explores the emotional experience of older adults around maintaining emotional wellness through the aging process and in relation to caregiving.

This white paper conducts a secondary analysis on qualitative
research data collected by Usability Resources on behalf of 1585
capital and Vita Valens. Usability Resources conducted online
panel research with women ages 65-70 in New York City, and the
results were coded and analyzed to identify key themes and
insights.
Through its secondary analysis, Vita Valens looks at common
themes within the data to understand more deeply the emotional
impact of aging, the stressors of caregiving, and attitudes within
this population around maintaining emotional health as time
persists. Key themes identified through this research were:

  • Many of the participants expressed concern around maintaining emotional wellness as they age.
  • The emotional toll of caregiving is one of the most challenging components of this work.
  • While physically and emotionally difficult, caregiving is a priority.
This research highlights the importance of gathering qualitative data to contribute to our understanding of complex and multifaceted topics such as emotional health and caretaking. Gathering data through this format allows for both the challenging and positive aspects of each person’s experience to be included and is vital to the validity and power of our research.

Background

The American population is aging. As fertility has declined over the past decades, the population is experiencing a demographic shift. It is projected that within the next 20 years, there will be more older adults in the United States than children. This has already begun to place increased demand on the healthcare system and the need for further resources and caregiving services1 . As the population ages and the demand for caregivers increases, it is critical to understand the emotional impact of caregiving.
As Americans are getting older, caregivers are also getting older. According to a nationally representative survey by the National Poll on Healthy Aging in 2022, more than half of adults over the age of 50 are providing care to at least one other person over the age of 652 . Of those surveyed, almost all those acting in a caregiving capacity are doing it unpaid, and just under half of those surveyed have been caregiving for the older individual for at least three years2
The challenge of providing care to others has been well documented. The Family Caregivers Alliance estimates that 20% of caregivers experience depression, and that these higher rates of depression can linger years after the individual has stopped their caregiving tasks3 . Other studies have shown connections between caregiving and long-term negative health outcomes such as increased risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and weight gain4. Despite this, caregiving is an essential component of the aging process.
This white paper contributes to the current research through providing insight into the perceptions and feelings of older women in relation to their emotional wellbeing and caregiving. Through qualitative studies we learn about the actual experiences, attitudes, and emotions related to and surrounding caregiving experiences. This research also sheds light on ways that the participants are managing their own emotional wellbeing and contributes to creating participant driven recommendations for new resources and methods to promote emotional wellbeing for caregivers.

Methodology

Usability Resources conducted structured qualitative research through 2020 Research’s QualBoard discussion board over three days ending with live video calls with 5 key participants. The study included 15 participants total that were screened and recruited through 2020 Research’s database. The participants selected were all middle-toupper middle-income women between the ages of 65-70 living independently.
Full transcripts of the data were collected and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Transcripts were coded with codes developed based on the research questions and emergent themes. The coded data was then reviewed and analyzed for patterns and themes.
It is important to note that this study has some limitations. The study focused solely on women between the ages of 65-70 in New York City, and the findings may not be generalizable to other populations or geographic locations. Additionally, the sample size was relatively small, which may limit the scope of the findings. Nonetheless, this study provides valuable insights into the emotional toll of caregiving on older adult women and the need for services and resources to support their wellbeing.

Qualitative Research

Usability Resources conducted structured research through 2020 Research’s QualBoard discussion board

Study Participants

15 participants total that were screened and recruited through 2020 Research’s database

Data Collection

Full transcripts of the data were collected and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach

Focus & Limitations

The study focused solely on women between the ages of 65-70 in New York City

Background

Several key themes were identified through this research study. One significant theme that emerged was concern around emotional health through the aging process. Many participants expressed worry about their own mental and physical health and staying emotionally connected to others as they age. Many participants note that one of the things they missed the most about working is social interaction.

“The biggest concern about retirement is to not be too
isolated and sedentary.”
“I missed my coworkers.”
“I missed the sense of purpose. I didn’t know what to do with
myself. I also missed interacting with other people.”
“I miss the friends and the activities of daily business.”

Participants described the emotional toll of caregiving, some of the common themes included feelings of intense sadness, being emotionally drained, frustration and exhaustion.
The second key theme identified was the emotional challenge of caregiving. Within our sample, all participants reported having been caregivers at some point in their lives. Many participants shared their experiences of caring for spouses, parents, and other loved ones, and described the emotional impact of caregiving. Many participants reported that the emotional aspect of caring for a loved one was one of the biggest challenges of this experience with some even ranking “emotions” as the most difficult part of providing caregiving.
Participants described the emotional toll of caregiving, some of the common themes included feelings of intense sadness, being emotionally drained, frustration and exhaustion.

“It is so very emotionally difficult to see parents deteriorate
before your eyes and needing to take care of them.”
“It was agonizing and depressing to watch my mom’s decline.”

“I missed the sense of purpose. I didn’t know what to do with myself. I also missed interacting with other people.”

“It was emotionally draining as well as physically exhausting. I hated seeing my husband deteriorate right before my eyes, but didn’t allow myself to show my emotions.

“Talking with friends, ex- ercising, getting enough sleep and professional help (psychologist).”

“Like I said, it was physically and emotionally draining. I
seriously don’t think I’ve been able to regain the energy or the
emotional response I should be capable of.”
“It was emotionally draining as well as physically exhausting. I
hated seeing my husband deteriorate right before my eyes, but
didn’t allow myself to show my emotions.”
Despite these challenges, participants reported feeling a strong
sense of responsibility for their loved ones’ care.
“It’s a very humbling experience and although most days
can be difficult, letting them know that they’re loved
unconditionally is rewarding to you as well as them.
“It was hard, but my mother was my #1 priority.”
The data also provides insights into participant driven
recommendations for managing the emotional challenges of
caregiving. Many participants expressed finding comfort in
emotional support from friends and family members. Other
common themes included seeking help and supportive services
externally, mindfulness practices, taking time for oneself, and
staying active and busy.
“I had good friends who supported me, my husband was a big
help, and I found an adult day care facility near my house.”
“When we moved my mom in with us I joined a support group
and that helped.”
“I was very close to burnout, until I started taking 30 minutes
for myself every morning (before everyone was awake). I
would take a bubble bath and meditate / pray. On certain days
it was morning and night.”
“I pray a lot, meditate sometimes, and take a nap in the
afternoon.”
“Talking with friends, exercising, getting enough sleep and
professional help (psychologist).”
“I continued to exercise daily and meditate and talk to people
about what I was going through.”
The data demonstrates that for this group of individuals, strong
interpersonal relationships and wellness practices are important

for maintaining emotional wellbeing and avoiding burn out. Additionally, recognizing that the participants perceive value in practicing mindfulness, joining support groups, and participating in other outlets for releasing the emotional burden will also inform efforts to continue creating a robust system of support.
Overall, the findings of this study highlight the emotional impact of caregiving within this group of individuals. While the strengths and challenges each caregiver experiences will vary immensely, there were many common themes that were uncovered throughout the study period. These insights are invaluable in creating recommendations and informing future work and studies. On participant noted, “Caregivers should have a good support system, whether it’s Family or Friends and seek therapy because it does take an emotional toll.” Prioritizing and creating services and resources for older adult caregivers can help build these support systems to better care for our caregivers.

Conclusion

The emotional toll of caregiving can lead to stress, depression,
and other mental health challenges for caregivers. This study
underscores the need for additional supports and resources
for caregivers, particularly for older adults acting as caregivers
amidst their own aging experience. Developing and growing
supportive services that are distributed equitably across the
diverse older population and ensuring that resources reach those
with the greatest need is foundational to the work and mission of
Vita Valens.
Vita Valens strives to contribute to a world where older adults
feel supported, valued, and connected to others. Leveraging
the learnings from this study, Vita Valens intends to implement
a virtual wellness group project specifically for older adult
caregivers. Vita Valens is committed to utilizing findings to
improve upon existing practices and develop new solutions.
Everyone deserves access to high-quality mental health care and
resources to support emotional wellness. Through our research
efforts, we seek to inform efforts and develop new models for
supporting older adults in and around New York City to live happy
and healthy lives.
Our approach is compassionate, evidence-based, and personcentered. We understand that every older adult is unique, and we
tailor our programs and services to meet their individual needs.
We are committed to empowering older adults to take control of
their emotional wellbeing to live strong and healthy lives

1. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/03/graying-america.html#:~:text=By%202060%2C%20nearly%20one%20in,caregiving%20and%20assisted%20living%20facilities
2. https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/id/e706f343-6f04-4994-b31f-56b59db87e89/0285_NPHA-Care-Support-report-FINAL-11022022-doi.pdf
3. https://www.caregiver.org/resource/caregiver-depression-silent-health-crisis/
4. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/special-issues/seniors/coping-caregiving

Related posts:

0-2
Empowering Emotional Wellness: The Impact of Virtual Connection for Older Adults
Executive Summary The use of virtual wellness and support groups has become increasingly popular as a...
Read More
0-1
The Power of Telephonic Engagement in Driving Health Promoting Behaviors
Executive Summary Telephonic outreach has been found to have a positive impact on medication adherence....
Read More
https://vitavalens.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/0.jpg
Exploring Older Adult Engagement and Resource Utilization Through Telephonic Intervention
Executive Summary New York City is aging. This demographic shift has been seen across the United States....
Read More

© 2000-2023, All Rights Reserved