Study reveals health impacts on family caregivers in Spain

The second study by the Cinfa Care Observatory, titled ‘Radiography of family care in Spanish society,’ indicates that 62.8% of family caregivers report that their responsibilities have affected their physical or mental health to some degree.

In the Canary Islands, the impact is slightly higher, with 63.2% of caregivers reporting health repercussions. Specific mental health issues identified include stress (69.3%), anxiety (59.2%), irritability (40%), and depression or sadness (34.8%). Physical symptoms frequently reported include fatigue (65.7%), sleep disturbances (51.6%), and muscular or joint pain (37.3%).

Despite these challenges, approximately 90% of caregivers express satisfaction with the caregiving experience. The research, conducted by Laboratorios Cinfa with the endorsement of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SEGG), was based on a representative sample of over 3,200 caregivers.