[Turkish emigrants in Germany. Deficits in home care knowledge and health services - a review]

Family members caring for relatives at home are often under great stress. Numerous studies have shown that taking care of a chronically ill family member may have negative effects on physical and emotional health. Frequent symptoms observed in family caregivers are insomnia, joint pain, physical exhaustion, and depression. There are, as yet, no definitive empirical studies in Germany on the subjective burden of family caregivers in Turkish families and on their specific needs for help, although their numbers are increasing exponentially. The statement based on the low rate of use of professional care by Turkish families in Germany that there is great willingness among Turkish families to take care of family members at home - a self-evident part of the concept of family - should not lead to the assumption that care causes less stress in this population. There is a great need for research into the way in which the care situation and the changes attendant thereon are experienced by Turkish family caregivers. Recording of subjective burden and individual needs is important to develop accepted strategies to relief Turkish family caregivers.