[Contribution of the family in the care of the chronically ill aged].

As part of the Swiss National Research Programm No. 8 (Economy and Efficacy of the Swiss Health System), we evaluated the participation of relatives in the care of institutionalized, chronically ill elderly parents. 323 patients were selected at random. Of 473 relatives and friends it was possible to interview 343. Men below the age of 80 were, cared for significantly more often at home in comparison to women. Care was in most instances provided by closely related women, usually from the next generation (daughters and daughters-in-law). In this group a majority participated in nursing care for institutionalized elderly relatives. Only close relatives appear to be willing to carry the burden of nursing care over a long period of time, whereas friends, neighbours, and distantly related family members are not. Economic problems arise mainly for men, less so for women. The latter are surprisingly often already involved in caring for an additional handicapped or elderly family member.