The transition to unpaid caregiving was linked with increased psychological distress and worse mental health, according to results from a nationally representative survey of UK participants aged 16 years or older. [JAMA]

Writing in The Lancet Public Health, the researchers recommended that “an individual’s status as a caregiver should be noted on their health record.” Primary care practices in the UK now do this to foster conversations between clinicians and their caregiving patients, the authors said.

The survey found that changes in well-being were most pronounced for people who were younger than 65 years as well as for those who provided care for 20 hours or more per week and who cared for someone in their household.

Changes in physical health were not linked with the transition to a caregiver role.

Although the researchers were not able to tease apart the consequences of caregiving from the difficulty of having a loved one with an illness or care need, they said the study’s results emphasize the importance of early identification and support of caregivers.

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