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This chapter discusses policy initiatives for family carers of people with terminal illness. It focuses on the situation in England but provides some comparison of innovative approaches in other countries including Canada, Australia, and European member states. It suggests that policies for family carers must take into account the heterogeneity of terminal conditions and uncertainties in the timing and progression of the last stages in life, and that policy provisions should be extended into such areas as bereavement benefits.

Most chronically and terminally ill patients are cared for in their own homes by family and friends, rather than in hospitals or hospices. These carers are an invaluable free resource and there is an increasing amount of research into their role and the experiences of caring for the terminally ill, patients with cancer, and patients with other chronic diseases. This book provides a critique of the theoretical concept of caring, carers, and caregivers. The material is based on empirical evidence from recent studies of adults with acquired chronic illnesses, including terminal illness.