Influence of caregiving on families of older adults.

1. The needs of caregivers often are overlooked when health professionals focus attention on the needs of the one requiring the more obvious care. Caregivers and potential caregivers need to understand the potential hazards to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. 2. Nurses, pastors, social workers, and physicians could benefit from increased knowledge about the influence of caregiving on the individual. 3. Further research is needed on interventions for caregivers. Research on the care recipient and the family, as well as on caregiving over time, would help promote health. Persons who have developed effective coping patterns for caregiving should be studied.