The role of the family in elderly care: The hidden burden on women: Letter to Editor

Dorosti, Amir Mohammad; Soheili, Amin; Ebrahimi, Mobina; Seyednazari, Mir Amirhossein

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Research code: مقاله نامه به سردبیر است

Ethics code: مقاله نامه به سردبیر است

The role of the family in elderly care: The hidden burden on women: Letter to Editor

Amir Mohammad Dorosti¹

, Amin Soheili²

, Mobina Ebrahimi³

, Mir Amirhossein Seyednazari ^*⁴

1- MSc Student of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
3- MSc Student of Geriatric Nursing, Student Research Committee, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran
4- MSc in Medical-Surgical Nursing, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran , amirhosseinseyednazari@gmail.com

Abstract: (171 Views)

The rapid global population ageing trend has posed substantial challenges to healthcare systems, particularly in the field of elderly care. A considerable proportion of this care is provided informally by family caregivers, to the extent that families constitute the primary pillar of elder care. Despite the vital role played by family caregivers, evidences indicate that long-term caregiving can result in a significant caregiving burden, leading to adverse physical, psychological, and social consequences for caregivers. In this context, gender has emerged as one of the most important determinants of caregiving burden, with female caregivers experiencing greater vulnerability due to cultural expectations and structural inequalities. Neglecting the needs of this group not only jeopardizes caregivers’ health but may also adversely affect the quality of care provided to older adults and the overall sustainability of healthcare systems. This article emphasizes the necessity for policymakers to pay greater attention to family caregivers-particularly women- and practical suggestions, including the formal identification of caregivers, educational and supportive empowerment, improved access to caregiving services, and policy revisions guided by a gender equity approach. Adoption of these strategies may represent an effective step toward enhancing caregivers’ health, improving the quality of elder care, and reducing preventable healthcare system costs.

Keywords: Caregiver Burden, Caregivers’ Mental Health, Family Caregivers, Population Aging, Women

Full-Text [PDF 305 kb] (64 Downloads)

Type of Study: Letter to Editor | Subject: Nursing
Received: 2026/02/9 | Accepted: 2026/03/14 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/04/28