Abstract

This study examined the relationship between caregiving burden and the caregivers' anxiety about their own aging in a national sample of 894 caregivers. As expected, higher levels of burden were associated with greater anxiety about aging. Comments from careeivers also help to understand their anxieties. The relationship was even stronger for caregivers with loved ones living in nursing homes. Spouses had the highest anxiety scores. Implications for recognizing other longer-term consequences of caregiving are discussed. Those who work directly with caregiving families need to assess a broader range of potential problems and help arrange for cost-effective services to meet these needs.