Women as Family Caregivers:

Abstract

Informal elder care is typically a women's issue. Elder-care problems frequently lead to burnout because of increasing longevity, advanced medical technology, changes in family life, gender role expectations and nature of formal caregiving services available (difficult to access, limited and expensive). Ultimately caregiver burnout is a result of culture lag, a lack of fit between changes in the material culture and conditions of life, and the nonmaterial aspects of culture (values, norms, etc.). To assist family caregivers both govemment and business must change family care and health care policies.