One of the greatest risks for caregivers is becoming ill themselves.8 Caregivers have higher rates of insomnia and depression, are at risk of serious illness, and are less likely to engage in preventive health measures. One-half of all caregivers have at least one chronic condition.5,9,10 One in five caregivers describes his or her health as fair or poor, and 17 percent believe that their health has deteriorated as a result of providing care, particularly those who have been providing care for five or more years or who have shifted from light to heavy duty.2 Spousal caregivers reporting high levels of strain have a 23 percent higher Framingham Stroke Risk than their non-caregiver counterparts, as well as increased all-cause mortality (as high as 63 percent in four years).11,12