Health impact on caregivers of providing informal care to a cognitively impaired older adult: rural versus urban settings
Impact sur la santé des aidants fournissant des soins informels à une personne âgée atteinte de troubles cognitifs : milieux ruraux versus urbains
Michel Bédard, Amanda Koivuranta, Amber Stuckey
Details
ISSN Number: 12037796
Language: English/French
Format: PDF
Pages: 18–30
Content Summary
This study examines the health impact on caregivers providing informal care to cognitively impaired older adults in rural versus urban settings in Northern Ontario. It found that rural caregivers, who were often non-spousal and employed, faced more behavior problems from care recipients but had fewer formal supports compared to urban caregivers. Despite these challenges, rural caregivers did not report a greater burden or poorer health status than their urban counterparts. However, a significant correlation was found between higher burden and fewer healthy behaviors among rural caregivers, highlighting the need for targeted support in managing behavior problems and promoting healthy lifestyles. Primary health care providers play a crucial role in addressing these needs.