The impact of care giving on informal or familial care givers. Results from a multistate surveillance project. Caregivers who are themselves infected with HIV face additional challenges. Caregiving partners of men with AIDS have high levels of dysphoric mood but, at the same time, they report levels of positive morale that are comparable to community norms. Caregivers sustain positive morale by deriving meaning from their caregiving.
Health professionals are in a good position to support caregivers and, thereby, help their patients.
Despite calls for a shift from hospital to community based care for people with HIV infection there has been some speculation about whether the facilities will actually be available. One central element of community care is informal care. It was mostly male friends and partners who were offering support. Half the carers were carrying out specific physical tasks, though much of the support was more general, particularly emotional support. Where both people had experienced symptoms some reciprocity of caring was taking place.