Survey statistics newly released by Parade and Cleveland Clinic highlight one of the major challenges shared by family caregivers: the toll caring for a loved one takes on their mental health. Data from a national poll of 2,012 American adults ages 18+ show that caregivers suffer from anxiety and depression at higher rates than non-caregivers. In the May 2022 survey, 36% of caregivers said they suffer from depression/anxiety, a figure that is 114% higher than reported by non-caregivers. In addition, sixty percent of caregivers said they are anxious at least once a week, compared to only 39% of non-caregivers, and caregivers are 90% more likely than non-caregivers to experience anxiety daily.
“When you look at the statistics, a lot of our caregivers may still be working or caring for small children while they care for an aging parent," says Lucille Carriere, PhD, clinical health psychologist and Angie Ruvo Endowed Caregiving Chair at Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. “So the demands on them emotionally, physically [and] financially help us understand where it can be really challenging to take that time away and attend to their own personal needs.” Indeed, the Parade/Cleveland Clinic Healthy Now Survey also showed that while 70% of caregivers agreed that they need regular mental/emotional health breaks (compared to only 50% of non-caregivers), 56% acknowledged that taking a day off from their responsibilities (e.g., family, work, etc.) is unrealistic for them. Carriere suggests that even prioritizing brief moments of respite can help caregivers feel refreshed and avoid burnout. “Self-care could be as little as five minutes,” she says. “So, if that’s a five-minute walk, stepping outside to do a breathing exercise, if it’s taking a few moments to journal or call or text a friend, for example, those can all be really meaningful for that individual caregiver.” Suggesting something specific—like handling the weekly grocery shopping or taking a shift so the caregiver can go for a walk or even take a nap—can be more effective than a general offer of help, she adds. “We often hear from caregivers that it is hard to ask for help, and so if that other person can make some suggestions or recommendations on how they can provide support, it could make it easier for them to open up and take you up on that offer.” Next up: 8 Tech Products Caregivers Swear By
