How are you doing?

Family caregivers are indispensable, yet they often feel underappreciated and inadequately supported by nurses and social workers. When they visit a hospitalized loved one, they may never be asked, "How are you doing? How are you managing?" They need more help on two fronts: becoming better caregivers and avoiding becoming patients themselves.

Editorial on a report from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) highlighting the economic contribution of family carers of older people. It is argued that health professionals must collaborate with informal carers as partners and support their needs.