Role change

Introduction:  Indian families are known for adopting the role of caregiver naturally when someone in the family falls ill to cancer. Although there were strong family structure and system existed here, now the changing family pattern and structure are challenging the role of cancer caregiving as well. Objective:  This study analyses the life situation of caregivers of cancer survivors during the course of treatment and attempts to explore the areas of interventions for caregivers themselves.

The study's rationale: Most people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) choose to live at home without known consequences for their children.

Aims and objectives: To study the personal experience of being a young caregiver of a chronically ill parent diagnosed with MS.

Methodological design and justification: Phenomenology was the methodological approach of the study since it gives an inside information of the lived experience.

The changing role of users and carers in the care system is examined. The four main user groups are identified as those with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or mental health problems and older people. The growth of the Disabled Living Movement since the 1970s has radically altered thinking and policy, but changes in practice have been slower. Normalisation theory has dominated service development for those with learning disabilities. Difficulties in implementing a care in the community policy for mental health are discussed.