The benefits of caregiving have come as a surprise to researcher, Dr. Lisa Fredman and Rosanna Bertrand.

Although stronger women may be the type of individual predisposed to taking on this kind of work, the unquantifiable benefits both spiritual and from an inner sense of peace and purpose impact the lives of caregivers in a positive way, as well.

Along with what’s called “caregiver burden,” gerontologists and psychologists use the phrase “caregiver gain” to reflect the fact that this role, which often exacts such high costs, can bring rewards. But they’ve typically described those rewards in psychological, emotional and even spiritual terms: growing confidence in one’s abilities, feelings of personal satisfaction, increased family closeness. That caregivers can walk faster or recall more words on a memory test — that’s news.