Long-distance caregiving: Unique challenges and service needs

Family caregiving to frail and disabled elderly relatives has been a topic of extensive research over the past five decades. Starting with the pioneering work of Ethel Shanas, Elaine Brody, and Marjorie Cantor, we have developed a rich knowledge base on the processes and consequences of caregiving, as well as on a range of evidence-based interventions to reduce the stresses on caregivers and improve care for elders. Yet, it is clear that almost all of the research conducted to date has focused on the geographically proximate, primary caregiver. As follows, the vast majority of evidence-based interventions have targeted caregivers with direct, hands-on care responsibilities for the elder.