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Depression and Missed Work among Informal Caregivers of Older Individuals with Dementia

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Abstract

Although providing informal care can negatively affect caregiver emotional health and lead to depression, the association between caregiver depression and missed work is unknown. We use data from the National Longitudinal Caregiver Survey to examine the relationship between caregiver depression and missed work among informal caregivers for older veterans with Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. Two-part models are used to estimate the expected hours of work missed among working caregivers. Caregiver depression is statistically significantly associated with the likelihood and amount of time missed at work, resulting in an average of an extra half-day of work missed per month. While the effect of caregiver depression on work missed is modest, it represents another possible benefit from interventions to support caregivers.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Eugene Z. Oddone and Morris Weinberger at the Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care for funding for Mr. Wilson’s internship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RTI Health Solutions, 3040 Cornwallis Rd, RTP, NC, 27709, USA

    Michele R. Wilson

  2. HSRD, General Internal Medicine, VAMC, Duke University, Bldg. 16, 508 Fulton Street (558/152), Durham, NC, 27705, USA

    Courtney Harold Van Houtven

  3. Health Policy and Administration, CB#7411 1104C McGavran-Greenberg, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7411, USA

    Sally C. Stearns

  4. NINR-funded TRAC Center, Hartford Interdisciplinary Geriatric Research Center, Duke School of Nursing, Trent Drive, DUMC 3322, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Elizabeth C. Clipp

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  1. Michele R. Wilson
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  2. Courtney Harold Van Houtven
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  4. Elizabeth C. Clipp
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Correspondence to Courtney Harold Van Houtven.

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Wilson, M.R., Van Houtven, C.H., Stearns, S.C. et al. Depression and Missed Work among Informal Caregivers of Older Individuals with Dementia. J Fam Econ Iss 28, 684–698 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-007-9081-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-007-9081-8

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