This is an integrative literature review that aims to identify evidences on the factors causing overload and their consequences for family caregivers of adults or the elderly. The review covered 27 studies at databases, using the keywords caregivers, family, and overload, in the period from 1999 to 2009. Four categories came up: the imposition of being a caregiver, taking care alone, the dependence of the person that receives care, and the bio-psychosocial weariness of the caregiver. The results showed that the imposition of the role of caregiver, lack of support from other family members, level of dependency of the patient related to the pathology, and physical and psychological weariness are the main factors causing overload in family caregivers. The need for more support and availability by health professionals to family caregivers in their home activities is evident.
Family nursing; Caregivers; Home nursing
