Seidlein, Anna-Henrikje

The article focuses on the discussion by highlighting the role of family members as moral actors within and beyond the hospital setting. Topics include the commentary draws on concepts of intersectoral care and family ethics as well as on our own research in the long-term home care setting, the background of demographic changes and shifts in morbidity structures, and the family caregivers often accept care takeover without hesitation.

Quantitative research has called attention to the burden associated with informal caregiving in home nursing arrangements. Less emphasis has been placed, however, on care recipients' subjective feelings of being a burden and on caregivers' willingness to carry the burden in home care. This article uses empirical material from semi-structured interviews conducted with older people affected by multiple chronic conditions and in need of long-term home care, and with informal and professional caregivers, as two groups of relevant others.