As individuals age, their health illnesses and disabilities are not only a challenge for themselves, but also for those taking care of them. Acting as a caregiver has been shown to negatively affect the well-being of that individual. Many spouses find themselves in this situation as their significant other reaches the older years of their life. Dan Broderick, Aging in Action reports:

New research examines the transition of becoming a caregiver made by a spouse. Researchers at the University of Michigan randomly selected 73 participants for a study that examined the caregiver’s well-being. All caregivers were the spouse of the care recipient. The results of the study found interesting relationships between well-being and the caregiver.

Interdependence and the amount of time spent with the care receipt were the greatest predictors of positive affect in the caregivers. Greater interdependence among the care receipt and the caregiver were shown to have a positive influence on the caregiver’s overall well-being. The amount of time spent helping a loved one increased the caregiver’s positive affect, but the amount of time on-call decreased positive affect.

Actively helping one’s spouse is thought to increase the positive affect of the caregiver. By providing help, the caregivers recognize the act of helping their spouse as a way for themselves to grow. Providing help to their loved one can also increase the amount of love and empathy that the caregiver experiences. These factors lead to greater positive affect in the caregiver.

The realisation that one’s spouse is no longer able to actively take care of themselves can be psychologically crippling. Yet, the relationship that is shared between the couple can be the factor that helps the caregiver have a more positive perception of themselves and the duty to their spouse.

Source: Poulin, M., Brown, S., et al. Does a helping hand mean a heavy heart? Helping behavior and well-being among spouse caregivers. Psychology and aging. (25) 108-117.