Spousal caregiving: Often a sacrificial rite

Those who have taken the literal or spiritual vow “…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘till death do us part…”  have often committed themselves to a lifelong sacrificial rite.

Down the road, that “sickness and in health” part may begin to loom large within the innermost chambers of the partnership.  This is often referred to as “spousal caregiving” and has a host of circumstances all its own.   For example, the Journal of the American Medical Association states the following:  “… if you are a spousal caregiver between the ages of 66 and 96, and are experiencing ongoing mental

or emotional strain as a result of your caregiving duties, there’s a 63% increased risk of dying over those people in the same age group who are not caring for a spouse.”

According to caregiverstress.com, overwhelmed caregivers may exhibit these symptoms:  lack of energy, sleep loss, neglect of dietary and exercise needs, depression, resentment, substance abuse, and missed health-care appointments.  Certainly, these seem to paint a collectively dim picture of “in sickness and in health.”  Fortunately, there is quite another side to this high level of sacrifice.

Science Daily presents some heartening results from a UCLA study on marital commitment.  The study indicates that deeper levels of commitment can help predict “lower divorce rates and fewer problems in marriage.”  Thomas Bradbury of the Relationship Institute explains that there are two distinct levels of relationship commitment – one which says, “I like this relationship and I’m committed to it” - and the other which more emphatically states, “I’m committed to doing what it takes to make this relationship work.” 

Bradbury concludes:  When people are in it for the long term, they are often willing to make sacrifices and view themselves as a team…

Resources

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120201181453.htm

http://bible.org/article/sample-wedding-vows

http://www.caregiverstress.com/stress-management/stress-symptoms/signs-spousal-caregiving-too-risky/

Copyright May 25, 2012 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved