Hoffman Geoffrey J, Mendez-Luck Carolyn A
Policy Brief UCLA Cent Health Policy Res. 2011 Sep(PB2011-11):1-8.
This policy brief profiles California's informal caregivers—adults who provide care to a family member or friend coping with an illness or disability. Although caregivers appear to be as healthy as noncaregivers of the same age, they report higher levels of psychological distress and engagement in poor health-related behaviors, such as smoking. Middle-aged caregivers may be at greatest risk for poor health outcomes such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Few caregivers are paid for their work or use state services that might help alleviate both financial and psychological burdens. Caregivers should foresee difficult times ahead, given recent state budget cuts to programs that support caregivers, and older and disabled adults.
本政策简报介绍了加利福尼亚州的非正式照料者——那些为患有疾病或残疾的家庭成员或朋友提供照料的成年人。尽管照料者看起来与同龄的非照料者一样健康，但他们报告称心理困扰程度更高，且更多地参与如吸烟等与健康不佳相关的行为。中年照料者可能面临诸如高血压、糖尿病和心脏病等健康不良后果的最大风险。很少有照料者因工作获得报酬，或使用可能有助于减轻经济和心理负担的州服务。鉴于该州近期削减了支持照料者以及老年人和残疾成年人的项目预算，照料者应预见到未来的艰难时期。
