Across the world, enormous amounts of care are provided not by hospitals or residential facilities, but by relatives inside ordinary homes.
Spouses, adult children, siblings, and other family members regularly take on responsibilities that would otherwise require professional assistance.
Many begin with seemingly manageable tasks.
A husband may remind his wife to take medication.
A daughter may drive her father to a medical appointment.
A partner may begin preparing meals because the other person has difficulty standing for long periods.
At first, these changes may seem like natural expressions of affection.
Over time, however, caregiving responsibilities can expand.
A family member may become responsible for monitoring symptoms, coordinating medical treatment, assisting with mobility, managing prescriptions, preparing food, maintaining hygiene, and responding to emergencies.
Some caregivers also handle insurance paperwork, household bills, transportation, and communication with doctors.
When the person receiving care requires assistance throughout the night, the caregiver may struggle to obtain uninterrupted sleep.
