Dr. David R Buyer, MD, MBA, FACP

Category: Psychological Health

  • Caregivers

    Caregivers are a vital part of maintaining health for others, regardless of age. Merriam-Webster defines a caregiver as a person who gives help and protection to someone who is sick. This definition can also be expanded to a person who gives help and protection to another person. Caregivers are not only providers, but they also are recipients of care. Their role puts them at risk for health conditions of their own.

    One study of primary family caregivers showed that 44% suffered from anxiety and depression, 15% pre-loss grief, and 10% from moderate to severe levels of demoralization. Caregivers often have poor sleep patterns as they “keep one eye open” at all times. Even caregivers who do not live with their charge do not sleep well as they are hypervigilant about the phone ringing with an issue.

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    “Caregivers are not only providers, but they also are recipients of care. Their role puts them at risk for health conditions of their own.”

    Caregiver access to the ill person’s medical information can be difficult as hospitals and offices may not grant information access to the caregiver. As the issue is more broadly recognized, this is beginning to change. If able, the sick person should have durable power of healthcare documents on file with the institutions or specifically sign a release to allow sharing of medical information.

  • Psychological Effects of Aging

    The effect of aging on emotional well-being is generally positive. Age brings acceptance which can be defined as the process of deliberately and non-judgmentally engaging negative emotions. Over time we have greater awareness and understanding. Acceptance does not depend upon mental capabilities or brain processing speed. Uncertainty, unpredictability and impermanence is better accepted with age. There is some evidence that today’s younger adults may not show increasing acceptance with age. 

    Another effect of age is decreasing anger. Sadness however is not reduced. One theory suggests that social connectedness is hindered by anger and anxiety, but helped by sadness. The difficulty with social connectedness as we age is fewer structured activities that promote connectedness.

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    “Life satisfaction is a comparison of life circumstances to one’s internal expectations. Satisfaction is affected by age and gender. Younger people tend to be unrealistic about the future, while older people are more realistic about the past and the future.”

    Evidence for the effects of age on anger, sadness and anxiety comes from a study measuring these emotions. A survey was given to people ages 21–73 before and after exposure to a stressful situation. Daily reports were also collected for two weeks. People were shown an emotionally-neutral short film prior to getting baseline measures, then they were given two minutes to prepare a speech stating their qualifications for a new job while being videotaped. The study results confirmed decreased anxiety and anger, but not sadness.

    Life satisfaction is a comparison of life circumstances to one’s internal expectations. Satisfaction is affected by age and gender. Younger people tend to be unrealistic about the future, while older people are more realistic about the past and the future. Men most highly rate satisfaction on partnership and financial position while women rate on partnership, relationship with children, sexuality, work situation, contribution to others’ welfare and financial situation.

    One survey of people ages 30–74 rated life satisfaction on health, financials, work, contribution to others’ welfare, relationship with children, partnership relations, and sexuality now, ten years ago and ten years from now. In all cohorts life was rated better now than in the past on all measures except for health and sex. People report health was worse than in the past and did not expect improvement, while sex was worse than in the past but expected to improve. The oldest cohorts were more satisfied with their partners than the youngest group.