Informal Caregivers

As we learned in chapter one of "Long Term Care Managing Across the Continuum" informal caregivers have been the backbone of long term care during the 1800s and 1900s. During this time it was customary that family members take care of other family members in need. It also can be a cultural tradition as well.

Pratt states that, "nearly 23 percent of U.S. households provide care to a relative or friend 50 years or older." I have witnessed two different scenarios regarding informal caregivers.

My mother cared for my father as he aged and became less able to handle activities of daily living. As a teenager I watched as my father became less able to walk and lose sight in one eye. Considering our family dynamics it took a toll on the family, especially my mother as she worked the night shift as a nurse.

This situation was not due to any customs or traditions, but simply the need to care for a family member.


Currently, my mother in law cares for her mother. Her mother is doing quite well for being 85 years old but she has type 2 diabetes and has had complications from it. My grandmother in law is a first generation U.S citizen. She moved here from Germany and it was tradition to care for family members. they did not rely on the government or other long term care facilities. They relied on family to get through difficult times. Another informal care service used in the family was Hospice while her husband was terminally ill from cancer. My mother in law is part of the "sandwich generation." She managed working full time while caring for her young teenage son and father and now she cares for her mother. So, one could say she is stuck caring for other generations.

Clearly, the structure of our long term care system would be dramatically different if we did not have informal caregivers. Informal caregivers need support, whether it comes from respite care, adult day care, or home health care they need support to continue caring for those they love. Disease, debilitation or disabilities do not take a vacation, however we need to recognize informal caregivers for their service.