Experiences of ‘Indirect’ Illness in Family Caregivers of Chronically Ill and Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

The care of chronically ill and older adults affects families in terms of physical, emotional, relational, and social impact; the functioning of the family; and an alteration in family dynamics. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of family caregivers of older patients in depth. A qualitative study was conducted, consisting of twenty-four narrative interviews with caregivers of chronically ill and older adults, consisting of twenty-three women and one man. The caregivers were all close relatives of the patients. The main results were as follows: (i) caregiving is predominantly performed by females; (ii) the caregiver experiences an ‘indirect’ illness; (iii) the family undergoes changes in roles, responsibilities, and relationships; (iv) support needs emerge, especially those of a social, family, work, and economic nature; and (v) resources are also activated, linked to the presence or absence of self-care. Illnesses directly impact the primary caregiver, but they also have repercussions on the entire family unit, which may activate coping strategies or lead to breakdown. It is crucial to accurately monitor the new family dynamics in order to find suitable solutions to support the family of chronically ill and older patients, underscoring the importance of work in this area.