@article {11222, title = {Changes in physical and mental health of Black, Hispanic, and White caregivers and non-caregivers associated with onset of spousal dementia.}, journal = {Alzheimer{\textquoteright}s \& Dementia}, volume = {6}, year = {2020}, pages = {e12082}, abstract = {

Introduction: We aim to determine whether racial/ethnic health disparities are a consequence of caregiving for persons with dementia and/or health status before becoming a caregiver.

Methods: Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998-2012) on 7859 Black, Hispanic, and White couples were analyzed for changes in physical and mental health with incident dementia of a spouse.

Results: Blacks and Hispanics, but not Whites, had poorer health before becoming caregivers for a spouse with dementia, than those who did not become caregivers. Spouse{\textquoteright}s dementia onset was associated with caregiver{\textquoteright}s higher odds of depressive disorder, with no racial/ethnic variation. Racial disparities in caregiver{\textquoteright}s health were attributed to health differences before caregiving, not differential health changes due to caregiving.

Discussion: Older Blacks and Hispanics with poor health are at increased risk of caregiving for a spouse with dementia. Protecting the health of persons supporting spouses with dementia requires understanding socioeconomic and cultural factors driving care provision.

}, keywords = {Caregiving, Dementia, depression, Racial Disparities}, issn = {2352-8737}, doi = {10.1002/trc2.12082}, author = {Chen, Cynthia and Thunell, Johanna and Julie M Zissimopoulos} }