Abisola Famakinwa, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Staff Physician, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Hospital, Bedford, MA, USA.

Increases in life expectancy and the aging of the baby boomer generation has resulted in unprecedented high numbers of older adults in the U.S. and Canada and, thus, a rising number of frail older adults with chronic medical conditions. Informal caregivers, primarily family members, have traditionally provided a large proportion of care at home, and their contribution is expected to be of even greater significance. Informal caregivers provide care at great expense to themselves, because caregiving can result in emotional, physical, and financial stresses. This article discusses the role physicians play in identifying and alleviating caregiver stress.
Key words: family caregivers, informal caregivers, caregiver stress, physician, older adults.

Lili Liu, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Alison Barnfather, MSc, Co-Director, Social Support Research Program, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Miriam Stewart, PhD, Scientific Director, Institute of Gender and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Professor, Faculties of Nursing, Medicine and Dentistry, and School of Public Health; Principal Investigator, Social Support Research Program. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

In Canada, older adults are the most likely of all age groups to experience chronic health conditions. Most Canadians living with disabilities or chronic conditions and most older adults are supported by family members or close friends. Caregivers frequently describe the emotional, physical, and financial burdens associated with the caregiver role. Accessible support programs can improve health outcomes for family/friend caregivers of older adults with chronic conditions. Practitioners can use the strategies presented to help caregivers access timely and accessible support resources.
Key words: family caregivers, caregiver support, older adults, home care, chronic conditions.

Martin Pinquart, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Developmental Psychology and Center for Applied Developmental Science, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Silvia Sörensen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.

Due to the aging of society and the increase in ethnic diversity, there is a growing interest in the needs of ethnically diverse caregivers for older adults. Based on a recent meta-analysis, this article outlines ethnic differences in caregiving stressors, available social resources, and caregiver health. We offer suggestions on how to consider ethnic differences in the planning and implementation of caregiver interventions.
Key words: family caregivers, ethnicity, stress, burden, depression.

Penny Pashby, MSW, RSW, Social Worker, Geriatric Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON.

Marcia Zalev, MSW, RSW, Social Worker, University Health Network Memory Clinic, Toronto, ON.

The complex issues faced by the family caregivers of dementia patients present many challenges for their physicians. The C.A.R.E. strategy provides a guideline for an effective approach to these challenges while strengthening the relationship of physicians with the caregivers in their practice.

Key words: family caregivers, well-being, stress, dementia care, physician role.