Older people risk mental decline if they do long hours of caring, UK study shows
Summary
A UK study found that middle-aged and older people who care for others for 50 or more hours a week experience faster mental decline. However, caring for someone just five to nine hours a week can improve brain health and help maintain mental skills.Key Facts
- Caring for 50+ hours weekly leads to faster decline in thinking and memory skills.
- Providing 5 to 9 hours of care weekly can boost brain health and mental sharpness.
- The study involved 2,765 carers aged 50+ compared to an equal number of non-carers.
- Heavy caregiving often reduces opportunities for work and social activities, increasing loneliness and stress.
- About 1.7 million people in the UK provide unpaid care for 50+ hours a week.
- Many carers report feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed due to their caring duties.
- Caring within the same household is linked to quicker mental decline than caring for someone outside the home.
- Researchers and charities call for more government and health service support for carers with heavy workloads.
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