Q&A: ‘Doing the lion’s share’: Mental health strain more common for women caregivers

Key takeaways:

• Of 2.5 million Americans who care both for an older family member and their own children, 60% are women.
• Resources are available to aid with the mental health strain commonly experienced by women caregivers.

Women caregivers are more likely to report emotional stress, struggles with work-life balance and depression or anxiety compared with men, but there are resources available to help.

More than 100 million people identify as unpaid caregivers across the U.S. and about 34 million provide unpaid care for someone older than 50 years, according to Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of Caregiver Action Network. In addition, Adams noted, 2.5 million people report caring for an older family member while also caring for a child. Of these, about 60% are women, Adams said.

Healio spoke with Adams about the unique burdens women caregivers experience, how caregiving can impact a woman’s mental and overall health and resources available to help.

Healio: What are some unique burdens women caregivers face?

Adams: Women and men are equally as likely to identify as a caregiver. However, for time spent and put into that caregiving role, women still far outpace men. Women are still doing the lion’s share of the heavy lifting when it comes to unpaid or family caregivers. About 20% of female caregivers report some sort of stress that is already present in their lives, and they are twice as likely to report stress related to caregiving compared with men. Lastly, women are much more likely to reduce work hours, take lower-paying jobs or leave the workforce, leading to loss of income and lower retirement savings overall. Women are more likely to take those measures to continue to provide a caregiving role.

Healio: How does being a caregiver impact women’s mental and overall health?

Adams: Women caregivers are more likely to mention emotional stress, struggling with balance or setting boundaries or instances of depression and anxiety, whereas men are more likely to report financial strain as their main issue. Women are more likely to be primary caregivers for children, elderly parents, spouses or disabled family members. Women are also more likely to be disadvantaged because they are either putting on hold, slowing down or not continuing momentum in their career because of a caregiving role they have taken on. Essentially, you’re talking about the same societal disparate treatment that a woman might receive for reducing hours or not working as much because of having a child or caring for a child.

In general, a caregiver’s mental health strain is worse depending on the severity and complexity of the condition of the person they are caring for. A more severe illness or behavior may lead to greater caregiver stress or potential mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Essentially, the more demanding the care required, the higher the likelihood of the caregiver strain. Certain illnesses like dementia, advanced cancer or even severe mental health disorders are also associated with greater caregiver strain due to the complexity and unpredictable nature of the of the care required. All of this factors into caregiving overall, which then disproportionately impacts women because of their greater role in supporting people who need care.

Healio: What resources are available for women caregivers?

Adams: Caregiver Action Network has a wide array of tools, resources, educational materials and trainings available at caregiveraction.org. Whether that person is having their own mental health struggles that day, are trying to figure out a new Medicare plan they are switching to or they are looking for support and care for their loved one, they could reach out to Caregiver Action Network’s help desk through our website, by calling our toll-free number or via online web chat. We also partner regularly with the National Association on Mental Illness, as well as the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, and Mental Health America. All three of these organizations have a great set of tools and resources. We also refer people, particularly when they’re dealing with caring for an older adult, to local resources, like support groups.

Healio: How can health care professionals help women caregivers?

Adams: Caregiver Action Network supports educating health professionals and we offer programs and conferences. We teach caregivers about mental illness, including the stigma surrounding mental health and how to provide better care, whether it’s for their own mental health or that of the care recipient. Understanding is just as important as treating. We also provide online ongoing communication skills training. Many times, mental health care is dependent upon the descriptions and the insights that the caregiver is providing. Establishing family support groups is important. It is also important to make health care professionals aware that there are support groups out there, whether at a national, virtual or local level.

We are testing out a partnership with a new company called Kindly Human, where a person can get connected with a trained professional who understands caregiving needs and responsibilities, understands certain diseases, conditions and specific diagnoses and can serve as a lifeline for a caregiver. It is also important to ensure that health care professionals provide concrete instructions on care tasks.

Reference:

• Caregiver Action Network. https://www.caregiveraction.org/.

For more information:

Marvell Adams Jr., can be reached on X (Twitter) @CaregiverAction.