Informal care for frail elders: the role of secondary caregivers

Although the majority of informal care is provided by one person, most elders receive help from other caregivers as well. This paper describes the identity and activities of these secondary caregivers, who are often the spouse and children of the primary caregiver. They provide a wide variety of help, but much less than the primary caregiver. Further, this help is provided in a pattern supplementary rather than complementary to that of the primary caregiver.