The National Council on Aging estimates that more than 7 million adult Americans provide unpaid care to elderly and disabled adult relatives, spouses, or friends, and another 7 million act as long-distance caregivers. Most caregivers are middle-aged adult children caring for parents, but many are also seniors caring for a spouse. About 72% of caregivers are women.

According to the December 15, 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, elderly caregivers who felt emotional strain related to caring for a spouse experienced higher risk of death than age-matched spouses who were not caring for their partners. The stress involved in providing care takes a toll on caregivers, who often suffer from muscle strain, back pain, and other physical ailments, as well as psychological symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

To help lessen the strain, Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson of Harvard Women’s Health Watch makes a few suggestions:

• Learn as much as possible about your relative’s illness. Maintain an inventory of medical conditions, treatments, medications, etc. Maintain a list of doctors, therapists, and other healthcare providers for your relative.
• Organize paperwork so you can find bank accounts, wills, and insurance records easily. You may also need an attorney’s help to determine who is responsible for important healthcare and financial decisions.
• Eliminate home safety worries by reducing or relocating potential dangers—fire hazards, loose rugs, sharp objects, poisons, medications, and inadequate lighting. Adjust the hot water heater’s setting to avoid burns.
• Enlist the support of family, friends, and community services.
• Don’t take on more than you can handle. Do one thing at a time.
• Take care of yourself. Eat well, exercise, and rest. Schedule breaks, and look into respite care for some much-needed and deserved time off.
• If employed outside the home, check on any eldercare benefits your employer may provide. Remember that businesses with more than 50 employees must comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act, which allows for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a seriously ill parent, spouse, or child, while protecting job security.