Abstract
A vast majority of persons with dementia receive help and support from family members, friends and neighbours. Research shows a high reliance on informal long-term care for persons with dementia. In this chapter we discuss the role of informal care in dementia care and the sustainability of that role. Societal changes have an impact on the availability of informal carers and on the division of tasks between formal and informal care. Taking care of a family member can be rewarding as well as challenging. Depending upon the stage of the dementia process the challenges have differing characteristics and the burden changes. Evidence-based interventions have been developed to support either the person with dementia and their informal carer or the family network of the person with dementia. These interventions can alleviate challenges and support informal carers in their role.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Dementia & Society |
| Subtitle of host publication | an interdisciplinary approach |
| Editors | Mathieu Vandenbulcke, Rose-Marie Droes, Erik Schokkaert |
| Place of Publication | Cambridge |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Chapter | 7 |
| Pages | 129-152 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 1108918956 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781108918954 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 26 May 2022 |