The impact of unpaid caring on cognitive function: a rapid review

Walbaum, Magdalena ORCID: 0000-0002-2179-9224, Zucker, Allyson, Brimblecombe, Nicola ORCID: 0000-0002-6147-5726 and Knapp, Martin ORCID: 0000-0003-1427-0215 (2025) The impact of unpaid caring on cognitive function: a rapid review. Aging and Mental Health. ISSN 1360-7863

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Abstract

Objectives Our review aimed to examine the role of unpaid care in influencing cognitive function independently or via risk factors for dementia. Method This rapid review, registered in PROSPERO and following PRISMA guidelines, searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and APA PsycINFO databases for longitudinal studies comparing dementia, cognitive function and associated risk factors for dementia between carers and non-carers. Studies were assessed for quality. Data were synthesised narratively. Results Five studies looked at cognitive function directly; others examined risk factors: depression, social isolation, physical activity, body-mass index, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, educational attainment, and alcohol consumption. Unpaid carers have increased risk of depression and social isolation, and younger carers have lower educational attainment. Studies evaluating the link between unpaid caring and cognitive decline suggest that caring at low and moderate intensities may act as a protective factor against cognitive decline, but not at higher intensities. Female gender and high-intensity caring significantly influence the strength of association between unpaid care and dementia risk factors. Conclusion The impact of unpaid caring on cognitive health is complex, influenced by factors like intensity of care and social and cultural context. Across all studies, high-intensity caring negatively impacts carers physical and mental health, which in turn affect their cognitive health.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Authors
Divisions:	Care Policy and Evaluation Centre Health Policy
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Date Deposited:	28 Apr 2025 15:27
Last Modified:	19 Jun 2025 17:39
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/128006

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