Informal Caregiving to Chronically III Older Family Members: Caregivers’ Experiences and Problems

Informal caregiving by close ones plays cardinal role in the health and life quality of chronically ill elderly people. Chronically ill older family members are largely dependent upon family caregiving to carry out everyday self-maintenance tasks identified as Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). The present paper examines experiences and problems of informal caregivers in providing care to their older family members suffering from serious chronic ailments in urban Lahore, Pakistan. The data for the present paper draws from the survey on Management of Chronic Conditions and Healthy Ageing carried out in 2006. Informal caregiving to chronically ill family members varied by gender, age and relationship to care receiver. Younger and female caregivers, particularly daughters-in-law bore the burden of caregiving. Working caregivers experienced stress and financial strain more than non working ones. Family caregivers expressed the need for formal support and special health services for frail and disabled elderly people.