Informal caregivers

The term "Informal caregiver" is gaining ground in the public debate to describe people who provide help to someone close to them because of their state of health, disability or age. Informal caregivers provide many services not only to their loved ones, but also to society as a whole. Indeed, their work is usually unpaid and clearly helps to reduce healthcare costs. Yet their activities are not always visible, and informal caregivers have to cope with many difficulties, such as exhaustion, isolation, lack of recognition and support, and juggling between their caring activities and paid employment.