CHICAGO (AP) - People who go through the stress of taking care of an elderly, ill spouse are better prepared to deal with their mate's death than those whose husbands or wives die more suddenly, a study suggests.

The caregivers took better care of themselves after their spouses died and did not become more depressed or experience significant weight loss, according to the study in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.

In contrast, those who did not take care of their loved ones showed increased depression and weight loss.

"Overall, these data support the hypothesis that the death of a spouse among strained caregivers represents a significant reduction in burden and does not further tax their ability to cope," wrote the researchers, who said their study is the first to document this.

The research was conducted between 1993 and 1998 and looked at 129 people ages 66 to 96. The participants were drawn from four sites: Hagerstown, Md.; Pittsburgh; Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Sacramento, Calif.

Caregivers fared better, the researchers suggest, because they anticipate their spouses' deaths and can grieve and develop a support system beforehand. They also may view the death as bringing an end to their spouses' suffering, the researchers said.

Many experience depression and have poor health practices while caring for their spouses. But after their spouses' deaths, caregivers health practices - such as sleeping habits and getting health care - improved, though depression levels remained high, said Dr. Richard Schulz, professor of psychiatry and director of the Center for Social and Urban Research at the University of Pittsburgh.

People who lost their mates more suddenly experienced increased depression and use of anti-depressant medication, as well as significant weight loss. This may occur because of the unpredictable nature of the spouse's death and the greater disruption of social environment, the researchers said.

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