|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
|
The Health Impact of Living with a Cognitively Impaired Elderly Spouse
Blood Pressure, Self-Rated Health, and Health Behaviors
Deborah J. Moritz, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Stanislav V. Kasl, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine
Adrian M. Ostfeld, MD
Yale University School of Medicine
The purpose of this study was to identify the health consequences of living with a cognitively impaired spouse in a sample of 318 spouse pairs, drawn from a representative sample of noninstitutionalized elderly individuals. Our principal findings were that (a) cognitive impairment in wives was significantly (p < .05) associated with elevated systolic blood pressure in husbands, whereas cognitive impairment in husbands was not associated with systolic blood pressure in wives; (b) cognitive impairment in wives was significantly (p < .05) associated with perceived declines in health status in husbands, but cognitive impairment in husbands was not related to perceived declines in health status in wives; (c) the relationships between wives' cognitive impairment and husbands' blood pressure and perceived health status were not mediated through limitations in activities of daily living in wives, chronic conditions in wives, or perceived inadequacy of emotional or instrumental support; and (d) cognitive functioning in one spouse was not related to health behaviors in the partner. Taken together, our results suggest that spouses of community-dwelling impaired individuals are not so severely affected that they cannot function normally. However, they suffer from health problems that can have serious consequences.
Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 4, No. 2,
244-267 (1992)
DOI: 10.1177/089826439200400205
 CiteULike  Complore  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
J.-H. Kim and B. G. Knight
Effects of Caregiver Status, Coping Styles, and Social Support on the Physical Health of Korean American Caregivers
Gerontologist,
June 1, 2008;
48(3):
287 - 299.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Pinquart and S. Sorensen
Correlates of Physical Health of Informal Caregivers: A Meta-Analysis
J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci.,
March 1, 2007;
62(2):
P126 - P137.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Lee, G. Colditz, L. Berkman, and I. Kawachi
Caregiving to Children and Grandchildren and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Women
Am J Public Health,
November 1, 2003;
93(11):
1939 - 1944.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Eisdorfer, S. J. Czaja, D. A. Loewenstein, M. P. Rubert, S. Arguelles, V. B. Mitrani, and J. Szapocznik
The Effect of a Family Therapy and Technology-Based Intervention on Caregiver Depression
Gerontologist,
August 1, 2003;
43(4):
521 - 531.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. L. Yee and R. Schulz
Gender Differences in Psychiatric Morbidity Among Family Caregivers: A Review and Analysis
Gerontologist,
April 1, 2000;
40(2):
147 - 164.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. O. Williams, C. L. Gjerde, S. Haugland, D. Darnold, L. J. Simonton, and P. J. Woodward
Patients With Dementia and Their Caregivers 3 Years After Diagnosis: A Longitudinal Study
Arch Fam Med,
June 1, 1995;
4(6):
512 - 517.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. C. Mui
Perceived Health and Functional Status among Spouse Caregivers of Frail Older Persons
J Aging Health,
May 1, 1995;
7(2):
283 - 300.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Jutras and J.-P. Lavoie
Living with an Impaired Elderly Person: The Informal Caregiver's Physical and Mental Health
J Aging Health,
February 1, 1995;
7(1):
46 - 73.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. M Connell
Impact of spouse caregiving on health behaviors and physical and mental health status
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias,
January 1, 1994;
9(1):
26 - 36.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
