ABSTRACT
For far too long, society has ignored the heavy responsibility carried by many of its members who are known as ‘carers’. These are men and women (and sometimes children) who have taken on the job of looking after an elderly, ill or disabled relative or friend who cannot manage personal care and/or daily living tasks without help. In order to distinguish these ‘carers’ from ‘caring professionals’ the word ‘informal’ is often added, much to the annoyance of the carers themselves.
