abstract

• Care is the essence of Nursing, and is the paradigmatic element that marks the difference between nursing and other disciplines. The needs of care have changed in the last years, compelled by the changes generated by the demographic and epidemiological transitions, pressure on the health system, dismantling of formal social services and change in the roles and dynamics of the family. Caregivers appear in this context, as a response to the real need of incrementing continued care in the home, and transfer of responsibilities in the attention of the elderly, the handicapped or the people with chronic illnesses. The challenges generated by their incorporation to the nursing work environment are discussed, given that they have a real demand within the population and gain basic elements about care, but have a different perspective of care, in dealing with this from the beginning, from personal motivation and even lack of professional vision. © 2011 Fundación Index.

authors

• Cruz Ortiz Maribel
• Díaz de León M.G.S.
• Pérez Rodríguez Ma del Carmen
• Robaina N.F.
• Río C.J.

publication date

• 2010-01-01

published in

• Index de Enfermeria  Journal

keywords

• Care; Caregiver; Demographic transition; Dependency

start page

end page

volume

• 19

issue

• 4