Young caregivers: how nurses can support this ‘unseen’ network

Teenagers and children may take on household chores and personal care for a family member, but should be part of the patient’s care planning too

As nurses we are trained to understand what makes a good hospital discharge.

We know how important it is that the needs of the patient and their caregivers – if they have any – have been assessed, and that plans or referrals have been made to any agencies that can provide essential support.

Caregivers who remain unseen

Yet, there is a group of caregivers who too often remain unseen, whose capacity to take on care responsibilities goes unassessed, their viewpoint unheard.