Older people 'impact on partner's health'

Older people, who may want to find a care home, have a large impact on the health of their partner, according to new findings.

Research published in journal Health Psychology discovered strong links in the mental and physical health of older married couples.

A strong association was revealed between depressive symptoms, such as unhappiness loneliness and restlessness, as well as the physical inabilities to carry out basic tasks like climbing stairs or picking up objects.

Professor Christiane Hoppmann, from the University of British Columbia, said that the study underlines the role of marital relationships in the health of older people.

"When people are depressed, they tend to want to stay at home – but that causes a spouse to stay home more too," she explained.

"That's a problem, because when older adults stop being active – going for walks, socialising, shopping – they risk losing that functional ability. It's that old saying, 'use it or lose it'."

This follows research at Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center which found that people who are housebound have an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, reports HealthDay News.

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