The costs of family caregiving: implications for geriatric oncology

Older adults with cancer receive considerable care from their family members. The article reviews the types of stressors family members face while caregiving, and what is known about the psychological, physical health, social, and economic costs of caregiving. The benefits experienced by caregivers, and sustained effects on families after bereavement or cancer survivorship are also reviewed. Interventions that are promising in decreasing the costs of caregiving, and implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.