1519 WELLBEING OF UNPAID CARERS OVER FIFTY: AN ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM ENGLISH LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AGEING

• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afad104.099
• Publication Date: 2023-07-22T12:17:04Z
• Authors: C Brack; S Makin; M Kynn; P Murchie
• Keywords: Receipt; Longitudinal Study

Abstract Introduction There is relatively little known about physical health of older people who are unpaid carers. The English Longitudinal Study Ageing (ELSA) Wave 9 (2019) was used to examine the relationship between caring and health. This study contains information on frailty, caring, comorbidities Instrumental Activities Daily Living (IADL) from 8,736 participants 50 years over. Methods We included received a nurse visit in (n=3,047), 21 were excluded due missing data. Frailty calculated using ELSA-Frailty Index (FI). Carers those receipt Allowance or self-reported caring. Results 351 carers 2675 non-carers included. younger (64.5 (10.2) vs 66.7 (10.5), p<0.001) more likely be married (78.1% 62.8%, p<0.001). had lower median FI score (0.07 (0.04-0.14) 0.15 (0.12-0.21), p=0.000) however, 45/536(8%) moderately severely frail Of 966 non-frail (FI <0.12) participants: 9/246(2.6%) experienced difficulties with IADLs, compared 5/720(0.69%) non-carers; 79/246(31%) impaired mobility, 39/720(5%) non-carer; 51/246(20%) 2+ comorbidities, 17/720(2.4%) non-carers. 1524 mildly (FI>0.12-0.24) 16/60(26.7%) 116/1464(0.69%) 58/60(97%) 807/1464(55%) 42/60(70%) 607/1464(41.4%) On frailty-adjusted multivariable analysis there strong association carer status Odds Ratio (OR)3.01 (95%CI 2.21-4.10); OR 11.08 (95%CI7.52-16.32); 5.44(95%CI3.48-8.48) Conclusions less but struggle at least one IADL, experience comorbidity mobility impairment than equivalently peers. suggests that, over 50s, either contributes burden care falls impaired.