Who Is caring for the caregiver? Promoting spousal caregiver's health.

Older adults are at high risk for developing chronic illnesses; those older than 85 are also the most rapidly growing segment of the US population. The majority of care for older adults with disabilities is provided in the community by family caregivers, as well as spouses if they are available. Although there has been significant research on the effect of caregiving on spousal health, few studies have addressed the health promotion needs of spousal caregivers. More research is needed to study health-promoting behaviors in the context of the social and physical environments in which spousal caregivers live and work.