Traditional wedding vows that couples usually exchange include a vow to stay together in sickness and in health. However, a review of modern divorce statistics shows that many people struggle to keep that vow in particular.
Health-related issues are one of the more common reasons people report filing for divorce. When one spouse has severe or chronic health issues, a marriage may suffer as a result. These are some of the reasons that health issues so often lead to divorce filings.
One spouse may resent the role of caregiver
Perhaps one spouse begins experiencing physical health issues in their 70s when the other wants to travel and make the most of their golden years. They may feel like the caregiver lifestyle forces them to live like a much older person and may come to resent their responsibilities. Conditions that may arise earlier in life, including cancer, can also trigger feelings of resentment and prompt people to divorce because they do not want to serve as a caregiver.
Financial challenges may arise
When someone has health issues severe enough to affect their day-to-day life, those challenges may also affect their household finances. They lose out on income while accruing major medical bills. People may worry about the pressure that medical expenses put on their budget or whether the debts that their spouse accrues will put their house at risk. Some people end up filing for divorce specifically because of the financial challenges triggered by a spouse’s health issues.
A divorce that occurs when someone has health issues can lead to a number of challenges including changes in health insurance coverage. Understanding why certain stressors lead to divorce may help people better plan to protect themselves when a difficult situation starts to develop.
