Study Reveals How Caregiving Intensity Affects Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
A new study from University College London (UCL) finds that the intensity of caring responsibilities can either accelerate or slow cognitive decline in people aged 50 and over.
Intensive carers experienced cognitive decline equivalent to about one-third of the normal annual decline due to aging.
Key Findings
The study, using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) spanning 2004–05 to 2021–23, analyzed 2,765 matched pairs of carers and non-carers aged 50+.
Intensive caring responsibilities—defined as 50+ hours per week, caring within the household, or caring for a spouse/partner—were associated with faster decline in executive function.
In contrast, light caring duties—5–9 hours per week, caring outside the household, or caring for parents/parents-in-law—were linked to slower decline compared to non-carers. Memory changes followed a similar but weaker pattern.
Cognitive Measurements
- Executive function was measured by the number of different animals named in one minute (score 0–63)
- Memory was assessed by recalling 10 common words immediately and after a delay (score 0–20)
Light carers showed a slowing of decline that offset about one-third of the usual annual decline. These effects were not influenced by sex or wealth.
Implications for Caregivers
Lead author Dr. Baowen Xue (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) explained the contrasting effects:
Light caring may provide mental stimulation and a sense of purpose, while intensive caregiving can accelerate mental decline.
The researchers called for better access to funded formal care and replacement care for intensive carers to help mitigate these cognitive risks.
Study Limitations
- Data on caring responsibilities were not collected in the first wave (2002), so analysis used waves 2–10
- Executive function was not measured in wave 6 (2009–11); researchers used average scores from waves 5 and 7