Caregiver distress: what nurses in rural settings can do to help

Caregivers in rural settings experience unmet needs. Some family caregivers in rural areas, either willingly or grudgingly, take on the role of caregiving as one of many responsibilities. A review of the literature reveals that the burden of the added responsibility results in physiological and psychological caregiver distress. The authors suggest some strategies to meet caregiver needs and outline areas where research is needed.