this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
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Older people risk mental decline if they do long hours of caring, UK study shows (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 5 days ago by FTonsilStones@lemmy.ca to c/science@lemmy.world
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Researchers find 50+ hours a week can be detrimental to health but lighter responsibilities have positive effect

“Providing a few hours of support outside the household may help caregivers maintain their cognitive health as they age.”

In contrast, though, “carers providing 50+ hours of care a week exhibited accelerated cognitive decline, indicating that the cognitive stimulation associated with caring is overshadowed by the demands of high-intensity care”, the researchers wrote.

Link to the paper

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[–] finallymadeanaccount@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Given they're probably talking about situations where an elderly person is caring for their partner (often solely, due to expense), the carer likely puts their own needs after their loved one, leading to less sleep, poorer nutrition (just grabbing a snack out of time restraints/exhaustion, instead of a nutritious meal), etc.

In that situation, carers might not see it as a problem, so long as their partner is put first (which is only natural), but it will wear anyone down. To say nothing of the emotional toll seeing their partner deteriorate on a daily basis would bring (which wouldn't be helped by poorer nutrition/exhaustion, etc).

Make some time to care for yourself, carers in that situation, so you can care for them.