Informal, unpaid caregiving is common in the United States and can be demanding. The study notes that caregivers face chronic stress, anxiety, and physical strain. Researchers led by Xiang Qi, an assistant professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, analysed data from the 2019-2020 California Health Interview Survey and selected 3,957 participants aged 65 and older who provided unpaid care to a family member or friend.
About 12% of these older caregivers reported physical or mental health problems because of caregiving. The researchers found that caregivers with these health issues tended to feel lonelier. They also found that more frequent internet use was associated with lower levels of loneliness, and online use appeared to reduce the extra loneliness among caregivers with health problems. The study recorded internet frequency but not the types of online activities.
Qi and colleagues suggested that interactive online activities, like virtual support groups or video chats, may reduce loneliness more than passive activities. They encourage older caregivers to use the internet to stay connected, find support, learn skills, and access reliable health information. Additional authors are from NYU and the University of Texas at Austin, and the research received partial support from the National Institutes of Health.
Difficult words
- caregiving — Giving unpaid help to a sick or old person
- caregiver — Person who gives unpaid help to otherscaregivers
- chronic — Happening again or for a long time
- strain — Physical or mental tiredness and pressure
- analyse — Examine data to understand and explainanalysed
- associated — Related to something else or connected
- interactive — Involving two-way actions or communication
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could internet use help an older person who cares for a family member? Give one or two examples.
- What interactive online activities would you suggest to reduce loneliness for caregivers? Why?
- Do you know any local groups or services that support unpaid caregivers? How could these groups use the internet to help more people?
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