Challenged to care: informal caregivers in a changing health system.
This report is from a 1998 national survey of 1,002 informal caregivers. Each year 23 percent of Americans provide unpaid assistance to ill, disabled, or elderly persons. Most caregivers (71 percent) do not live with care recipients. Primary caregivers provide more care of all types. Nonprimary caregivers also provide substantial care and services. Caregivers perform complex medical tasks, including medication administration, and errors can result. Few receive assistance from paid professionals or aides because of quality or financial concerns. In many areas, support and instruction could lighten caregivers' burdens and help to ensure high-quality care at home.
Donelan
Karen
K
Harvard Opinion Research Program, Harvard School of Public Health, USA.
Hill
Craig A
CA
Hoffman
Catherine
C
Scoles
Kimberly
K
Feldman
Penny Hollander
PH
Levine
Carol
C
Gould
David
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States