Sex and Gender-Based Analysis of Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Women are the biggest users and providers of health care in Canada, and assume most of the costs and burdens associated with caregiving. The costs of caregiving have long-term consequences for women’s health and income. Family caregivers of older adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) are particularly vulnerable, as they often put the needs of the care recipient ahead of their own, resulting in reduced emotional, mental, social, financial and physical health and well-being. Little is known about how to sustain the health of caregivers. We need a better understanding of the combined influence of sex, gender, age, education, income, employment status, culture, geography, social connectedness, and other determinants, on the health of caregivers, and how they may change over time given the dynamic nature of caring for older adults with MCC.

This repeated-measures mixed methods study provided new knowledge about how social location (e.g., gender, geography, social connectedness) of family caregivers of older adults with MCC affects quality of life and other health outcomes over time. This information is used by health system decision-makers to design targeted interventions to support caregivers who assume important roles in our health care system yet often experience negative effects.

Publication in Social and Cultural Geography

Publication in Canadian Journal on Aging

Publication in International Journal for Equity in Health

Publication in Gender, Place & Culture

Publication in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Publication in International Journal of Care and Caring

Publication in Journal of Human Health Research