{{Short description|Person helping another with activities of daily living}} {{Other uses}} {{Multiple issues| {{Copy edit|date=January 2026}} {{Unfocused|date=January 2026}} }} [[File:St John of God Hauora Trust.jpg|thumb|A resident of St John of God Trust and a caregiver in Halswell, New Zealand]] A '''caregiver''', '''carer,''' or '''support worker''' is a person who provides care for people struggling with their everyday activities due to age, long-term illness or disability.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Assessment of burden and needs of family caregivers for the elderly, a scoping review|journal=Frontiers in Aging|volume=6|date=2025-06-13|pmid=40584229|pmc=12202512|doi=10.3389/fragi.2025.1578911|last1=Le Toullec|first1=Elodie|last2=Le Gagne|first2=Anne|last3=Leblong|first3=Emilie|last4=Somat|first4=Alain|last5=Piette|first5=Patrice|article-number=1578911|issn=2673-6217|doi-access=free}}</ref> A caregiver can be either formal or informal. Formal caregivers (also known as paid caregivers) are trained professionals, including care workers at hospitals, day-care centers and nursing homes; home care and respite care providers; healthcare assistants; and other unlicensed assistive personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Support for people affected by dementia|url=https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/need-to-know-more/support-for-carers/|access-date=2026-04-15|website=Alzheimer's Research UK|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite journal |last1=Bergmann|first1=Stefanie|last2=Peper|first2=Julia|last3=Bieber|first3=Anja|date=2022-06-25|title=The use of formal care for dementia from a professional perspective: a scoping review|journal=BMC Health Services Research|language=en|volume=22|issue=1|article-number=825|doi=10.1186/s12913-022-08229-2|doi-access=free|issn=1472-6963|pmc=9233851|pmid=35752801}}</ref> Family caregivers (also known as informal or unpaid caregivers) are relatives or friends who provide care for people struggling with their everyday activities due to age, long-term illness or disability.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Assessment of burden and needs of family caregivers for the elderly, a scoping review|journal=Frontiers in Aging|volume=6|date=2025-06-13|pmid=40584229|pmc=12202512|doi=10.3389/fragi.2025.1578911|last1=Le Toullec|first1=Elodie|last2=Le Gagne|first2=Anne|last3=Leblong|first3=Emilie|last4=Somat|first4=Alain|last5=Piette|first5=Patrice|article-number=1578911|issn=2673-6217|doi-access=free}}</ref>
Typical duties of a caregiver may include managing medications, helping with bathing or dressing, or performing household chores, preparing meals, or managing both formal and informal health-related documentation for someone who cannot do these things independently.
==Overview== A primary caregiver is the person who takes primary responsibility for someone who cannot fully care for themselves. The primary caregiver may be a family member, a trained professional, or another individual. Depending on the culture, various members of the family may be engaged in care. The concept of the primary caregiver can be important in attachment theory as well as in family law, for example in guardianship and child custody.<ref name=uslegal>{{cite web|title=Primary Care-giver Doctrine Law & Legal Definition|url=http://definitions.uslegal.com/p/primary-caregiver-doctrine/|publisher=US Legal|access-date=2 September 2012}}</ref>
A person may need care due to loss of health, loss of memory, the onset of illness, an incident (or risk) of falling, anxiety, depression, grief, or a disabling condition.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=10}}
==Technique==
===Basic principles=== A fundamental part of caregiving is effective communication with the person receiving care, including not only giving instructions but also actively listening, showing empathy, and ensuring the patient's health needs are understood.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}} Care is given with respect for the dignity of the person receiving care while acknowledging the patient's feelings and values.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}}
The carer remains in contact with the patient's primary healthcare provider, often a doctor or nurse. They also help the person receiving care make decisions about their treatment, daily life, and healthcare plans while supporting them throughout the process.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite book |last1=DuPré |first1=Athena |title=Communicating about health: current issues and perspectives |last2=Overton |first2=Barbara Cook |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-766430-8 |edition=Seventh |location=New York, NY}}</ref> Caregivers also often provide emotional support and comfort to their patients to help them maintain psychological well-being, which is an important part of care.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |last=Bonavolontà |first=Leonluca Toro |title=CAREGIVER |url=https://www.agingproject.uniupo.it/glossario/caregiver/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Aging Project Uniupo |language=it-IT}}</ref>
In addition to communication, the caregiver is responsible for managing their own hygiene, as well as the hygiene of the person receiving care and the living environment.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}} Caregivers and care recipients wash their hands frequently.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}} Carers often assist with the patient's personal hygiene tasks like bathing, dressing, and grooming to maintain safety and comfort for the patient.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dashwood |first=Albert |date=2024-12-11 |title=What Does a Caregiver Do? - Caregiver Support Network |url=https://caregiversupportnetwork.org/caregiver-support/what-does-a-caregiver-do/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |language=en-US}}</ref> If the person receiving care produces sharps waste from regular injections, the caregiver should manage it.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}} Surfaces in the living area should be regularly cleaned and wiped, and laundry should be managed to ensure a healthy living environment.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=VitalSource Bookshelf Online |url=https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780197664339 |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=bookshelf.vitalsource.com}}</ref> Caregivers may also help with household tasks such as cleaning and meal preparation to support daily living needs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Italia |first=Generali |title=Caregiver familiare: chi è, come funziona e come affrontarne i costi {{!}} Generali |url=https://www.generali.it/magazine/salute/caregiver-familiare-chi-e-come-funziona-costi |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=www.generali.it |language=it-it}}</ref>
Additionally, the caregiver helps organize the patient's daily agenda, including medical appointments, medication schedules, and daily living tasks.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}} This also includes coordinating healthcare visits, which are especially important, and ensuring medications are taken as prescribed.<ref name="auto2" /> Routine daily living functions are scheduled as well, with the carer managing hygiene tasks and maintaining access to healthcare products for the patient.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=144}}<ref name="auto1" />
===Monitoring=== {{Main|Monitoring (medicine)}}
The caregiver is in close contact with the person receiving care and should monitor their health in a reasonable way.
Some people receiving care require that someone take notice of their breathing.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=148}} It is expected that a caregiver would notice changes in breathing, and that if a doctor advised a caregiver to watch for something, then the caregiver should be able to follow the doctor's instructions in monitoring the person.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=148}}
Some people receiving care require that the caregiver monitor their body temperature.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=148}} If this needs to be done, a doctor will advise the caregiver on how to use a thermometer.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=148}} For people who need blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, or other specific health monitoring, then a doctor will advise the care giver on how to do this.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=150-2}} The caregiver should watch for changes in a person's mental condition, including becoming unhappy, withdrawn, less interested, confused, or otherwise not as healthy as they have been.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=153}} In all monitoring, the caregiver's duty is to take notes of anything unusual and share it with the doctor.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=153}}
===Keeping the person mentally alert=== There is a link between mental health and physical health and mind–body interventions may increase physical health by improving mental health. These practices seek to improve a person's quality of life by helping them socialize with others, keep friendships, do hobbies, and enjoy whatever physical exercise is appropriate.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=66}} Physical activity has been shown to help benefit mental health in many ways, it can improve, resilience, social support, and physical health. All these ideas strongly correlate the relationship between physical activity and better mental health.<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal |last1=White |first1=Rhiannon L. |last2=Vella |first2=Stewart |last3=Biddle |first3=Stuart |last4=Sutcliffe |first4=Jordan |last5=Guagliano |first5=Justin M. |last6=Uddin |first6=Riaz |last7=Burgin |first7=Alice |last8=Apostolopoulos |first8=Maria |last9=Nguyen |first9=Tatiana |last10=Young |first10=Carmen |last11=Taylor |first11=Nicole |last12=Lilley |first12=Samantha |last13=Teychenne |first13=Megan |date=2024-11-28 |title=Physical activity and mental health: a systematic review and best-evidence synthesis of mediation and moderation studies |journal=International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |language=en |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=134 |doi=10.1186/s12966-024-01676-6 |doi-access=free|issn=1479-5868 |pmc=11603721 |pmid=39609855}}{{Creative Commons text attribution notice|cc=by4|from this source=yes}}</ref>
Caregivers encourage people to leave their homes for the health benefits of the resulting physical and mental activity. This is supported by evidence that shows social connection and social support help improve one's mental health benefits of physical activities. Also, the interaction and sense of belonging during an activity helps their psychological wellbeing.<ref name="auto"/> Depending on a person's situation, a walk through their own neighborhood or a visit to a park may require planning or have risks, but it is good to do so when possible.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=66}}
Depending on a person's situation, it may be useful for them to meet others also getting similar care services.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=67}} Many places offer exercise groups to join.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=67}} Group exercise and social participation have evidence of linking physical activity to improvement in stress and life satisfaction.<ref name="auto"/>Social clubs may host hobby groups for art classes, social outings, or to play games.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=67}} For elderly people there may be senior clubs which organize day trips.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=67}}
===Eating assistance=== Caregivers help people have a healthy diet.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=45}} This help might include giving nutrition suggestions based on the recommendations of dietitians, monitoring body weight, addressing difficulty swallowing or eating, complying with dietary restrictions, assisting with the use of any dietary supplements, and arranging for pleasant mealtimes.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=43}}
A healthy diet includes everything to meet a person's food energy and nutritional needs. People become at risk for not having a healthy diet when they are inactive or bedbound; living alone; sick; having difficulty eating; affected by medication; depressed; having difficulty hearing, seeing, or tasting; unable to get food they enjoy; or are having communication problems.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=45}} A poor diet contributes to many health problems, including increased risk of infection, poor recovery time from surgery or wound healing, skin problems, difficulty in activities of daily living, fatigue, and irritability.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=46-47}} Older people are less likely to recognize thirst and may benefit from being offered water.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=47}}
Difficulty eating is most often caused by difficulty swallowing.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=56}} This symptom is common in people after a stroke, people with Parkinson's disease or who have multiple sclerosis, and people with dementia.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=56}} The most common way to help people with trouble swallowing is to change the texture of their food to be softer.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=56}} Another way is to use special eating equipment to make it easier for the person to eat.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=56}} In some situations, caregivers can be supportive by providing assisted feeding in which the person's independence is respected while the caregiver helps them take food in their mouth by placing it there and being patient with them.{{sfn|Dorling Kindersley|2013|p=56}}
===Support with managing medications=== Caregivers have a vital role in supporting people with managing their medications at home. A person living with chronic illness may have a complex medication regimen with multiple medications and doses at different times of the day. Caregivers may assist in managing medications in many ways. This may range from going to the pharmacy to collect medications, helping with devices such as a Webster-pak or a dosette box, or actually administering the medications at home. These medications might include tablets, but also creams, injections or liquid medications. It is important that the healthcare providers in the clinic help educate caregivers since those caregivers will often be the ones who manage medications over the long term for an individual living with a chronic condition at home.<ref name="Ferguson">{{cite journal | author = Ferguson | display-authors = etal | year = 2015 | title = The caregiver role in thromboprophylaxis management in atrial fibrillation: A literature review | journal = European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing | volume = 14 | issue = 2| pages = 98–107 | doi = 10.1177/1474515114547647 | pmid = 25125352 | s2cid = 5469526 | doi-access = free }}</ref>
==Complications==
===Discontinuing unnecessary treatment=== For some diseases, such as advanced cancer, there may be no treatment of the disease which can prolong the life of the patient or improve the patient's quality of life. In such cases, standard medical advice would be for the caregiver and patient to have conversations with the doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment and to seek options for palliative care or hospice.<ref name="ASCOten">{{Citation |author1 = American Society of Clinical Oncology |author1-link = American Society of Clinical Oncology |date = 24 April 2014 |title = Ten Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American Society of Clinical Oncology |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-society-of-clinical-oncology |access-date = 25 August 2014}}</ref>
During end-of-life care the caregiver can assist in discussions about screening which is no longer necessary.<ref name="ASCOten"/> Screenings which would be indicated at other times of life, like colonoscopy, breast cancer screening, prostate cancer screening, bone density screening, and other tests may not be reasonable to have for a person at the end of life who would not take treatment for these conditions and who would only be disturbed to learn they had them.<ref>{{Citation |author1 = American College of Surgeons |author1-link = American College of Surgeons |date = September 2013 |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American College of Surgeons |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-college-of-surgeons/ |access-date = 2 January 2013}}</ref> It can be the caregiver's place to have conversations about the potential benefits for screenings and to participate in discussions about their usefulness. An example of a need for caregiver intervention is to talk with people on dialysis who cannot have cancer treatment and can have no benefit from cancer screening, but who consider getting the screening.<ref>{{Citation |author1 = American Society of Nephrology |author1-link = American Society of Nephrology |date = 24 April 2014 |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American Society of Nephrology |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-society-of-nephrology/ |access-date = 15 September 2014}}</ref>
People with diabetes who use caregiving services, like those in a nursing home, frequently have problems using sliding-scale insulin therapy, which is the use of varying amounts of insulin depending on the person's blood sugar.<ref name="AMDAfive">{{Citation |author1 = AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine |author1-link = AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine |date = February 2014 |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/amda/ |access-date = 10 February 2013}}</ref> For people receiving caregiving services, long-acting insulin doses are indicated with varying doses of insulin being the less preferred treatment.<ref name="AMDAfive"/> If exceptions must be made, then use the long-acting insulin and correct with small doses of sliding-scale insulin before the biggest meal of the day.<ref name="AMDAfive"/>
Advance care planning should note if a patient is using an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and give instructions about the circumstances in which leaving it activated would be contrary to the patient's goals.<ref name="AAHPMfive">{{Citation |author1 = American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |author1-link = American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-academy-of-hospice-palliative-medicine/ |access-date = August 1, 2013}}</ref> An ICD is a device designed to prevent cardiac arrhythmia in heart patients. This is a life saving device for people who have a goal to live for a long time, but at the end of life it is recommended that the caregiver discuss deactivating this device with the patient and health care provider.<ref name="AAHPMfive"/> For patients at the end of life, the device rarely prevents death as intended.<ref name="AAHPMfive"/> Using the device at the end of life can cause pain to the patient and distress to anyone who sees the patient experience this.<ref name="AAHPMfive"/> Likewise, ICDs should not be implanted in anyone who is unlikely to live for more than a year.<ref>{{Citation |author1 = Heart Rhythm Society |author1-link = Heart Rhythm Society |date = 24 April 2014 |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American Association of Blood Banks |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/heart-rhythm-society/ |access-date = 25 July 2014}}</ref>
===Behavior changes=== Caregivers can help people understand and respond to changes in their behavior.
Caregivers are recommended to help people find alternatives to using sleep medication when possible.<ref name="APAfive">{{Citation |author1 = American Psychiatric Association |author1-link = American Psychiatric Association |date = September 2013 |title = Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American Psychiatric Association |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-psychiatric-association/ |access-date = 30 December 2013}}</ref> Sleeping medications do not provide a lot of benefit to most people and have side effects including causing memory problems and confusion, increasing risk of blood clots, and causing weight gain.<ref name="APAfive"/> Caregivers can help people improve their sleep hygiene in other ways, such as getting regular exercise, keeping to a sleep schedule, and arranging for a quiet place to sleep.<ref name="APAfive"/>
Caregivers are recommended to help people find alternatives to using appetite stimulants or food supplements high in food energy.<ref name="AGSten">{{Citation |author1 = American Geriatrics Society |author1-link = American Geriatrics Society |title = Ten Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher = American Geriatrics Society |work = Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation |url = http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-geriatrics-society/ |access-date = August 1, 2013}}</ref> These treatments are not proven to provide benefit over alternatives but they do increase the risk of various health problems.<ref name="AGSten"/> One alternative to using appetite stimulants is to provide social support, as many people are more comfortable eating when sharing a meal with others.<ref name="AGSten"/> People who have trouble eating may appreciate assisted feeding from their caregiver.<ref name="AGSten"/> Depending on the situation, a caregiver, patient, and physician may decide to forgo any dietary restrictions such as a low sodium diet and feed the person what they enjoy eating despite the health consequences if that seems preferable and more beneficial over using appetite stimulants.<ref name="AGSten"/>
===Elder abuse=== Elder abuse can include physical, emotional and financial abuse, domestic violence as well as neglect.<ref name="m094">{{cite journal | last=Bergeron | first=L. René | title=An Elder Abuse Case Study: Caregiver Stress or Domestic Violence? You Decide | journal=Journal of Gerontological Social Work | volume=34 | issue=4 | date=30 May 2001 | issn=0163-4372 | doi=10.1300/J083v34n04_05 | pages=47–63 | url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J083v34n04_05 | access-date=27 April 2025| url-access=subscription }}</ref> Signs of elder abuse can include depression, unusual changes in behavior or appearance, bed sores, and unexplained bruises. It is important to talk with a doctor if there are any concerns that someone may be suffering from elder abuse.
==Caregiver wellbeing== {{Main|Caregiver stress}}
=== Informal caregivers === In the case of family caregivers, caring for a loved one can have positive effects on the caregiver, for example, feelings of mutuality, personal growth, and increased family cohesion.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wang|first1=Jun|last2=Li|first2=Xuelian|last3=Liu|first3=Weichu|last4=Yang|first4=Bing|last5=Zhao|first5=Qinghua|last6=Lü|first6=Yang|last7=Xiao|first7=Mingzhao|date=2022-09-14|title=The positive aspects of caregiving in dementia: A scoping review and bibliometric analysis|journal=Frontiers in Public Health|volume=10|article-number=985391|bibcode=2022FrPH...1085391W|doi=10.3389/fpubh.2022.985391|issn=2296-2565|pmc=9515975|pmid=36187613|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Quinn |first1=Catherine |last2=Toms |first2=Gill |last3=Rippon |first3=Isla |last4=Nelis |first4=Sharon M. |last5=Henderson |first5=Catherine |last6=Morris |first6=Robin G. |last7=Rusted |first7=Jennifer M. |last8=Thom |first8=Jeanette M. |last9=van den Heuvel |first9=Eleanor |last10=Victor |first10=Christina |last11=Clare |first11=Linda |date=29 June 2022 |title=Positive experiences in dementia care-giving: findings from the IDEAL programme |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0144686X22000526/type/journal_article |journal=Ageing and Society |language=en |volume=44 |issue=5 |pages=1010–1030 |doi=10.1017/S0144686X22000526 |issn=0144-686X}}</ref> However, providing long-term, unpaid care for someone can also have wide-ranging negative effects on carers' physical and mental health and on their financial situation.<ref name=":16">{{Cite journal |last1=Brimblecombe|first1=Nicola|last2=Fernández|first2=José-Luis|last3=Knapp|first3=Martin|last4=Rehill|first4=Amritpal|last5=Wittenberg, Raphael|first5=Wittenberg|date=2018|title=Review of the international evidence on support for unpaid carers|url=https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/87978|journal=Journal of Long-Term Care|language=en|pages=25–40|doi=10.21953/LSE.FFQ4TXR2NFTF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sabatini |first1=Serena |last2=Martyr |first2=Anthony |last3=Hunt |first3=Anna |last4=Gamble |first4=Laura D. |last5=Matthews |first5=Fiona E. |last6=Thom |first6=Jeanette M. |last7=Jones |first7=Roy W. |last8=Allan |first8=Louise |last9=Knapp |first9=Martin |last10=Quinn |first10=Catherine |last11=Victor |first11=Christina |last12=Pentecost |first12=Claire |last13=Rusted |first13=Jennifer M. |last14=Morris |first14=Robin G. |last15=Clare |first15=Linda |date=2024-02-19 |title=Health conditions in spousal caregivers of people with dementia and their relationships with stress, caregiving experiences, and social networks: longitudinal findings from the IDEAL programme |journal=BMC Geriatrics |language=en |volume=24 |issue=1 |article-number=171 |doi=10.1186/s12877-024-04707-w |doi-access=free |issn=1471-2318 |pmc=10875834 |pmid=38373905}}</ref> The sum of physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges experienced by caregivers is referred to as caregiver burden.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Liu|first1=Zhu|last2=Heffernan|first2=Catrina|last3=Tan|first3=Jie|date=10 October 2020|title=Caregiver burden: A concept analysis|journal=International Journal of Nursing Sciences|language=en|volume=7|issue=4|pages=438–445|doi=10.1016/j.ijnss.2020.07.012|pmc=7644552|pmid=33195757}}</ref>
There are various forms of support, services, and interventions that may improve the wellbeing of family caregivers. Effective measures include complementary formal services, training and psychoeducation, psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and support groups.<ref name=":163">{{Cite journal |last1=Brimblecombe|first1=Nicola|last2=Fernández|first2=José-Luis|last3=Knapp|first3=Martin|last4=Rehill|first4=Amritpal|last5=Wittenberg, Raphael|first5=Wittenberg|date=2018|title=Review of the international evidence on support for unpaid carers|url=https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/87978|journal=Journal of Long-Term Care|language=en|pages=25–40|doi=10.21953/LSE.FFQ4TXR2NFTF}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite journal |last1=Walter|first1=Erik|last2=Pinquart|first2=Martin|date=2020-11-23|editor-last=Heyn|editor-first=Patricia C|title=How Effective Are Dementia Caregiver Interventions? An Updated Comprehensive Meta-Analysis|url=https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/60/8/e609/5570705|journal=The Gerontologist|language=en|volume=60|issue=8|pages=e609–e619|doi=10.1093/geront/gnz118|issn=0016-9013|pmid=33226434}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chen|first1=Frank|last2=Hu|first2=Zhiwei|last3=Li|first3=Quan|last4=Zheng|first4=Xuan|last5=Li|first5=Meizhi|last6=Salcher-Konrad|first6=Maximilian|last7=Comas-Herrera|first7=Adelina|last8=Knapp|first8=Martin|last9=Shi|first9=Cheng|last10=The STRiDE consortium|date=27 February 2025|title=Effectiveness of Interventions to Support Carers of People With Dementia in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis|journal=International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry|language=en|volume=40|issue=3|article-number=e70054 |doi=10.1002/gps.70054|issn=0885-6230|pmc=11867927|pmid=40015952}}</ref>
=== Formal caregivers === Formal caregivers such as nursing staff at long-term care facilities are at increased risk of stress and burnout.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Woodhead |first1=Erin L. |last2=Northrop |first2=Lynn |last3=Edelstein |first3=Barry |date=January 2016 |title=Stress, Social Support, and Burnout Among Long-Term Care Nursing Staff |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0733464814542465 |journal=Journal of Applied Gerontology |language=en |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=84–105 |doi=10.1177/0733464814542465 |pmid=25098251 |issn=0733-4648}}</ref>
==Society and culture==
===Caregiving certification=== Some agencies, such as nursing homes and assisted living communities, require caregiver certification as a condition for employment. Most US states have caregiver resource centers that can assist in locating a reputable training class. In many cases, training is available at local colleges, vocational schools, organizations such as the American Red Cross, and at local and national caregiver organizations. National organizations include the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, the Family Caregiver Alliance and the National Family Caregivers Association.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://work.chron.com/certified-caregiver-11773.html|title=Certified Caregiver|website=Chron|access-date=2012-06-06}}</ref>
==See also== * Family caregivers * Young carer * Dignity of risk * Outline of relationships * Toileting
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== * {{cite book |author1=Dorling Kindersley |title=Caregiver's handbook |date=2013 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4654-0216-5 |edition= 1st American}} * {{Cite journal |doi=10.1007/s11606-009-1206-3 |pmid=20063128 |year=2010 |last1=Mitnick |first1=S. |last2=Leffler |first2=C. |last3=Hood |first3=V. |title=Family Caregivers, Patients and Physicians: Ethical Guidance to Optimize Relationships |journal=Journal of General Internal Medicine |first4=P. A. H. R. C. |volume=25 |issue=3 |pages=255–260 |pmc=2839338 |last4=American College of Physicians Ethics}} * Carol Levine, ed. (2004) ''Always On Call: When Illness Turns Families into Caregivers (2nd ed.)'', Vanderbilt University Press for the [http://www.uhfnyc.org United Hospital Fund]. {{ISBN|0-8265-1460-X}} * Dr. Marion Somers ''Elder Care Made Easier: Doctor Marion's 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One'', Addicus Books, 2006. {{ISBN|1-886039-80-1}} * Joyce Cavaye (2006) ''Hidden Carers'', Dunedin Press, Edinburgh, {{ISBN|1-903765-66-8}} * Bonnie Campbell McGovern (2007) ''Taking Care of Barbara: A Journey Through Life and Alzheimer's and 29 Insights for Caregivers''. {{ISBN|0-595-40536-3}} {{OCLC|145511953}} * Ann Burack-Weissi, "The Caregiver's Tale: Loss and Renewal in Memoirs of Family Life", ''Journal of Marriage and Family'', 69, no. 1 (2007): 271-272 {{ISSN|0022-2445}} * Sylvia Barron Baca (2007) ''Caregiver Daily Journal'' Gardners Books {{ISBN|1-4303-2102-4}} {{OCLC|176917554}} * Maria M Meyer, Derr RN, Stanley, Tandberg (2014). ''Caregiving in the Comfort of Home: A Complete Guide for Caregivers''. CareTrust Publications. {{ISBN|978-0-9851391-5-5}}
{{Care navbox}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Caregiving Category:Unpaid work