The University of Surrey has unveiled findings that establish a link between the perceived ages of spousal caregivers and their partners who are living with dementia. This study highlights that these perceptions significantly influence their wellbeing, life satisfaction, and self-confidence. Felt age is how old someone feels relative to their actual chronological age. It is gauged by asking individuals if they feel younger, older, or the same as their actual age. This metric deepens our understanding of how people view their ageing process, which affects their mental and physical health and can even predict significant health outcomes like mortality.
Dr Serena Sabatini, the lead author of the study, stressed the importance of recognising the interconnection of felt age between people with dementia and their caregiving spouses. She explained that the relationship quality between the caregiver and the care recipient is crucial in aligning their perceptions of ageing. Dr Sabatini suggests that caregivers younger than their actual age can positively influence the wellbeing of those with dementia, underlining the potential benefits of a youthful outlook within caregiving dynamics.
Dr Sabatini emphasised the need for targeted interventions and supportive policies. Such measures aim to support caregivers and those in their care, promote healthier ageing experiences and enhance the quality of life for all involved in these caregiving relationships. This call to action underscores the broader societal need to foster environments that respect and improve the lives of both caregivers and care recipients.
The research utilised data from the British IDEAL study, conducted from 2014 to 2016, involving 1001 pairs of people living with dementia and their spouses. Participants’ ages ranged widely from 41 to 95 years. Notably, the majority of the individuals with dementia were men, while most spousal caregivers were women. This demographic detail provides a deeper context for understanding the dynamics at play in these relationships.
The research team’s methodology involved assessing how old each participant felt and examining their relationship quality, well-being, life satisfaction, and self-confidence. Using linear regression analyses and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, the researchers were able to determine the connection between the felt ages of the individuals with dementia and their spouses. Additionally, this model helped assess how their relationship quality influenced these perceptions and whether a person’s felt age was linked to their partner’s mental and emotional health. This scientific approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of how feelings and perceptions of ageing intertwine and mutually influence caregiving relationships.
Dr Sabatini added that the quality of the caregiving relationship significantly impacts how caregivers and those with dementia perceive their ageing. Those in high-quality relationships tended to share a similar felt age with their partners, indicating that closeness facilitates a more aligned perception of ageing. This finding suggests that enhancing the quality of caregiver relationships could lead to more harmonious perceptions of ageing between caregivers and those with dementia.
Fostering positive interactions and mutual understanding within these relationships has the potential to significantly improve the mental and emotional health of both caregivers and those living with dementia. Dr Sabatini’s research points towards a future where caregiving relationships are supportive and therapeutic, contributing to a better quality of life for all parties involved.
More information: Serena Sabatini et al, Felt Age and Its Psychological Correlates in Dementia Spousal Caregiving Dyads: Findings From the IDEAL Programme, The Journals of Gerontology, Series B. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae105
Journal information: The Journals of Gerontology, Series B Provided by University Of Surrey
