A recent study led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing suggests that internet use may help older adults who provide unpaid care for family or friends feel less lonely and better manage the stress associated with caregiving. The findings were published in the journal JMIR Aging.
There are 59 million people in the United States who act as caregivers for aging adults or those with complex medical needs. Many of these caregivers are not paid and often support a spouse or another family member, facing both physical and emotional challenges as a result.
“Caregiving can really take a toll on a person’s body and mind, from chronic stress and anxiety to aches and pains from lifting or helping the person they care for,” said Xiang Qi, assistant professor at NYU Meyers and lead author of the study. “In fact, a lot of caregivers end up neglecting their own health because they’re so focused on someone else’s needs.”
Social isolation is common among caregivers due to limited time and mobility, which can make it difficult to maintain social connections. Technology offers new ways to connect with others through activities such as joining virtual support groups or video chatting with friends. While some believe technology increases isolation among young people, Qi’s team examined whether internet use could have positive effects for older caregivers.
The research analyzed data from nearly 4,000 participants aged 65 and older who provided unpaid care, using information from the 2019‐2020 California Health Interview Survey. About 12 percent reported experiencing physical or mental health problems related to caregiving responsibilities. Those reporting such issues also tended to feel lonelier.
“This makes sense, because caregiving can be tough,” Qi noted.
However, the study found that frequent internet use was linked to lower levels of loneliness among caregivers—even among those experiencing health problems—suggesting that being online helped offset feelings of isolation.
Although the research measured how often participants used the internet rather than specific online activities, Qi suggested further studies should examine which types of online engagement offer the most benefit.
“I think the type of internet activity could matter—for example, playing games online might help a caregiver relax and pass the time, but joining a virtual support group or video chatting with friends could do more to ease loneliness because you’re actually interacting with people,” he said. “My hunch is that activities which involve social interaction or getting support would provide more benefit against loneliness than just passive activities, but we need studies to confirm that.”
Based on these results, researchers recommend that older caregivers consider incorporating internet use into their routines as a way to stay connected with others, find support networks, learn new skills online, and access reliable health information.
“Using the internet to connect with friends, family, or fellow caregivers can really lighten the emotional load of caregiving because it reminds you that you’re not alone,” added Qi. “Think of it like a bridge that can connect you to people and information even when you can’t leave home.”
Other authors involved in this research include Ruotong Liu and Eunjung Ko from NYU Meyers; Yaolin Pei from University of Texas at Austin; and Bei Wu from NYU Shanghai and NYU Meyers. The study received partial funding from several National Institutes of Health grants.
