Family caregiving for the elderly in Sweden.

Measures are being taken which will make it possible for relatives to become more involved in family caregiving. Public efforts are regarded as a complement to family caregiving. Health personnel have started to change their attitudes toward relatives and look at them as an important source for the elderly. The co-operation between public services and family caregiving is being developed and strengthened. A lot of work still has to be done. It seems very important that research is carried out which focuses on the content of family caregiving. We need descriptions of the processes going on between the sick elderly person, his relatives and the professionals supporting the care. This kind of knowledge is a prerequisite for adequate care.