What Is Caregiving and How Should We Study It?

Abstract

Informal (family) caregivers are the backbone of health and social care delivery in countries throughout the world, including developed countries. Providing informal care to ill family members or friends is a growing phenomenon as the population ages, the prevalence of chronic illness increases, and hospitalizations are shorter (National Alliance for Caregiving & AARP, 2015). The anticipated increase in number of caregivers and in the intensity of caregiving already have made caregiving a public health issue (Schulz & Patterson, 2004).