Caring in the time of COVID-19, longitudinal trends in well-being and mental health in carers in Ireland: Evidence from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2022.104719
• Publication Date: 2022-05-10T03:26:27Z
• Authors: C.A. McGarrigle; M. Ward; C. De Looze; A. O'Halloran; R.A. Kenny
• Keywords: Longitudinal Study; Depression; Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 resulted the older population being asked to remain at home and avoid other people outside their household. This could have implications for both receipt provision of informal caring.To determine if care by carers changed during first wave from pre-pandemic this was associated with a change mental health well-being carers.Longitudinal nationally representative study community dwelling adults Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) (Waves 3-COVID-Wave 6).We studied cohort 3670 aged ≥60 Ireland (July-November 2020) compared previous data collections same between 2014-2018. Independent variables were caregiving status intensity, outcome measures included depressive symptoms (CES-D8), Perceived Stress (PSS4) Quality life (CASP12). Mixed models adjusting socio-demographics physical estimated.Caregiving increased 8.2% (2014) 15.4% (2020). Depression, stress scores while quality decreased all participants. Carers reported poorer health, higher caring hours depression average, women.Informal family caregivers adverse continued throughout early months pandemic. disproportionate burden highest women providing hours.