Informal caring networks for people at end of life: building social capital in Australian communities

Abstract

The care of a person living at home near the end of their life is predominantly provided by family carers with the support of health services such as palliative care. In addition, informal caring networks also contribute at times to the support provided to the dying person and their carer. In this way, these networks can promote social capital in the communities from which they are drawn. This social approach to end of life care enhances community capacity to provide support to those dying at home and their carers. This article examines relevant published literature to explore the conceptual foundations of informal caring networks, examining the place of social capital and community development in the provision of end of life care at home, particularly in the Australian context.

Keywords:

• community
• health promotion informal networks
• palliative care
• social capital
• sociology

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Australian Research Council's Linkage Grant [LP110201090] which has funded this research project.