Being a Caregiver Can Significantly Affect Both Physical and Mental Health

Caregiver burnout is a real thing. Experts estimate 61 percent of the country’s 48 million caregivers are working outside jobs along with acting as a caregiver. In a report titled “Working While Caregiving: It’s Complicated,” from AARP and S&P Global, two-thirds of respondents said they had at least some difficulty balancing work and life responsibilities. 

The survey reports 84% of respondents said caregiving had a moderate or high impact on the stress they feel daily. Another 27% of working caregivers said due to their workload “they were forced to go from full-time to part-time work or reduce their hours.” Others complained their employers seemed to be more understanding of child care leave than they were to employees who had to take time off to care for a parent or other elderly family member. 

Respondents said beyond holding down a job, they were putting in at least six hours a week of caregiving for a loved one. Tasks include everything from assisting with the actual physical care of a loved one to taking the person to doctor visits, grocery shopping, and serving as an advocate for the person to ensure they are getting the proper care. 

Other studies support the findings of the AARP survey as they too found participants reported difficulty in balancing work and caregiving; and the negative impact it can have on physical and mental health. In 2023, a study found almost half of all caregivers spent between 10 to 29 hours a week caregiving. More concerning is that many caregivers are neglecting their own health stating they have no time to exercise and are not keeping up with their routine annual physical and screenings. In fact, forty-one percent of caregivers report low overall well-being, which is 32% more than non-caregivers. 

This is why assisted living and memory care communities can be a lifesaver for both the elderly person and the family caregiver. Not only do residents have their care needs met but they can also take advantage of all the benefits community living offers. Now when family members visit, they can just enjoy each other’s company. 

At MorningStar of Pasadena, we strive to be the best senior apartments and assisted living in Pasadena, CA, and we take the well-being of our residents very seriously.  Our all-inclusive community offers all the amenities, services and enrichment programs to help residents live life to the fullest. For those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related diseases, we have suites devoted to individualized, compassionate memory care. Please see our website for more information.

MorningStar has considered it a privilege and responsibility to “cast a new light” on senior living, inspired and empowered by our unique mission: to honor, to value, to invest. Our passionate commitment to serving seniors has proudly earned us a reputation for satisfaction that is second to none. Contact us to learn more about the finest independent and assisted living Pasadena, CA has to offer. 

Sources: aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2024/working-caregivers-report.htmlguardianlife.com/reports/caregiving-in-america