Helping women caregivers obtain support: Barriers and recommendations

Women frequently assume the role of caregiver, and the demands of the caregiving role may lead to stress. Social support may moderate the effects of this stress. This article describes characteristics of effective social support, barriers to obtaining adequate support, and recommendations for how a woman in a caregiving role can obtain the support she needs. Nurses caring for women and families throughout the life span can use this information to help caregivers to obtain the necessary social support.