Depression High Among Caregivers
Glenn Mandel of Escalate Communications for Caring.com sent me an email about a new survey that reveals that depression levels among caregivers are more than two times the national average. In addition, 86 percent of caregivers said that caregiving impacted their work situation because they had to take time away from their jobs, quit, retire early, reduce hours, or take a leave of absence (this excludes those who were already not working).
If you need more information on the survey, or would like to speak with an expert at Caring.com about the results, please contact him at 704-321-0351 or glenn@escalatecommunications.com
Twenty-five percent of respondents also stated that they suffer from depression, well above the national figure of 9 percent cited in a 2010 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Family caregivers are also seeking support online (25 percent) via discussion forums, chat rooms, and through social networks such as Facebook.
Caring.com regularly surveys family caregivers and conducted this study in March 2011. Additional findings include:
• A third (32 percent) of family caregivers spend more than 30 hours per week on caregiving tasks.
• Seventy-seven percent of caregivers are concerned about the impact of their caregiving on their savings.
• The majority of family caregivers suffer from their own health issues, including high blood pressure (35 percent), arthritis (30 percent), and high cholesterol (28 percent).
• Over half (53 percent) of respondents report having trouble falling or staying asleep due to stress.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is particularly challenging. "Alzheimer's caregivers who participated in this study rated caring for their loved one as their highest source of stress," said Andy Cohen, co-founder and CEO of Caring.com. "Their unique needs led us to create Steps & Stages, which provides guidance and comfort to those in a role that can last many years and become increasingly intense as their loved one's condition progresses." More than 25,000 family caregivers are now receiving free, stage-appropriate help from Steps & Stages, which was launched in October 2010.
About Caring.com
Caring.com is the leading online destination for caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses, and other loved ones. Caring.com offers helpful content, advice from leading experts, a supportive community of caregivers, and a comprehensive directory of eldercare services. Based in San Mateo, California, Caring.com is a private company funded by DCM, Intel Capital, Shasta Ventures, and Split Rock Partners.
