Associations between age, gender and health deterioration in caregivers aged 75 and older in Spain: an observational study.

Abstract

This study aims to explore how age and gender are associated with health deterioration related to caregiving among caregivers aged 75 and older in Spain. Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Nationwide survey in Spain: 2020 Survey on Disability, Personal Autonomy and Situations of Dependency. All non-professional caregivers identified by the survey (3746): 3166 caregivers younger than 75 (CG75-) and 580 caregivers 75 years old or older (CG75+). Self-reported caregivers' health deterioration, as a categorical variable (present or absent). The majority of caregivers in both groups were women (63.2% of CG75- and 57.0% of CG75+, p=0.011). CG75+ provided care 16 hours/day (vs 14.1 hours/day of CG75-, p=0.032). Over half of CG75+ reported health deterioration (53.0%), compared with 43.5% of CG75- (p<0.001). Being 75 or older was significantly associated with caregivers' health deterioration only for women (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.57). For men, age was not associated with caregivers' health deterioration (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.43). In Spain, older caregivers have a specific socio-demographic profile, provide high-intensity care and report a higher caregiving-related health deterioration. However, the association between older age and health deterioration was found only in women. Public health interventions must prioritise older female caregivers.