Increase in Male Caregivers Due to Women Being More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's Disease

The role of the caregiver in couples has traditionally fallen upon women, who are more nurturing by nature, but times have changed as more men are now tending to their wives.

USA Today reported that almost twice as many men are taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, close to 40 percent, up from 19 percent 15 years ago. Experts say it is more likely for women to get Alzheimer's disease or dementia: 3.4 million women are suffering from the disease compared to 1.8 million men at last count.

The increase of male caregivers can be attributed to the changes in the recent changes in the economy. Layoffs and early retirements made men more available to take on the role.

According to USA Today, "there were other factors, too: families scattered across the country, longer life expectancies and changing ideas about gender roles."

A USA Today interview with a male caregiver Ed Mitchell, 63, gave more insight to the new role. He's been married to Lola Francis (Frankie for short) for 42 years and told the publication, "I'm the best person to take care of her. I know her better than anyone else."

Mitchell loves his wife and caring for her is a way to show how much he appreciates Frankie.

"She took care of me for a lot of years," Mitchell told USA Today. He also noted that he takes of Frankie "like a man."

"I'm not real creative," he said, referring to Frankie's daily breakfast of yogurt and granola has been the same for days. Up until a few months ago, Frankie was able to wash fruit or pouring cereal. Recently, his wife just sits there and watches.

"She's making me do it now for all the times she had to do it," Mitchell said.

Mitchell's mother Shirley was in a care facility, but the family thought she would fare better at home. He cares for her as well.

"It was a family decision," Mitchell said. "Plus, she likes her roommates better here."

You can read the rest of Mitchell's family story on USA Today here.

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