Debunking Five Myths About Informal Caregiving

Karen Leeman
Jul 10
4 min read

Updated: Jul 11

As healthcare systems buckle under growing demand and populations age worldwide, one group is keeping everything afloat and rarely gets credit for it— informal caregivers.

They are spouses, siblings, adult children, and neighbors. They step in when no one else can. Most do it without pay, without formal training, and without enough support.

According to the World Health Organization, more than one in six people globally provide informal care. In the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, they are the backbone of the long-term care system — not doctors or nurses, but everyday people filling in the gaps.

And yet, their role is still widely misunderstood. Misconceptions about who caregivers are, what they do, and what they need leave far too many unsupported and unseen.

It’s time to correct the record.

Here are five of the most damaging myths and the truths behind them:

Myth 1: Informal Caregiving Is Just “Helping Out”

Reality: It’s complex, relentless work— often equivalent to a full-time job.

The idea that caregiving is just “being there” or “lending a hand” misses the reality entirely. Informal caregivers do everything from managing medications and doctor’s appointments to providing daily hygiene care, feeding assistance, and 24/7 supervision, especially in cases involving dementia, serious illness, or disability.

And while there’s no paycheck or PTO, the demands are constant. Many caregivers handle medical tasks that used to be done by professionals in hospitals. Others manage legal, financial, and emotional logistics every single day.

It’s work. It’s intense. And too often, it’s invisible.

Myth 2: Caregiving Is a Woman’s Role

Reality: Women carry the heaviest load, but caregiving isn’t defined by gender.

It’s true that women make up about 60% of caregivers in many Western countries. But that doesn't mean caregiving belongs to women or that men aren’t stepping up. Men now represent a growing share of the caregiving population. Many take on daily care tasks, coordinate medical needs, or leave work to be more present at home. But they often face stigma or feel isolated, especially in spaces where caregiving is still framed as “women’s work.”

We don’t need a gendered narrative. We need cultural and policy support that makes space for everyone who takes on this role, regardless of who they are.

Myth 3: Family Caregivers Don’t Need Much Support

Reality: Most caregivers are stretched thin— financially, emotionally, and physically.

The “heroic caregiver” image sets up an impossible standard. It suggests caregivers can and should do it all, quietly and without complaint. That’s not just unrealistic— it’s harmful.

The data tells a different story. Informal caregivers are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, sleep loss, and chronic health problems. Many reduce their work hours or leave jobs entirely, putting their financial security at risk.

What caregivers actually need includes:

Respite care so they can rest
Access to mental health services
Financial support or subsidies
Practical training for medical or assistive tasks

Ignoring these needs doesn’t save the system money— it simply shifts the cost onto people who are already giving everything they have.

Myth 4: Informal Caregiving Is a Short-Term Job

Reality: It can last for years— sometimes decades.

People often imagine caregiving as a temporary situation, like helping a loved one recover from surgery. But many caregivers support someone with long-term conditions requiring ongoing care for many years— conditions like dementia, stroke, disability, and mental illness. Some parents will be caregivers for life. Many spouses care for partners throughout slow declines in health. Others become caregivers again and again, for multiple family members.

These long timelines demand long-term solutions. We need systems that don’t just offer short-term help, but real, sustained support that can adapt as caregiving needs evolve.

Myth 5: Caregiving Is a Personal Issue, Not a Public One

Reality: When caregivers are unsupported, we all feel the impact.

Caregiving often happens behind closed doors— but its effects ripple out into every part of society.

When caregivers burn out or leave the workforce, the economy suffers. When caregiving needs go unmet, hospitals get overcrowded and long-term care costs skyrocket. When we fail to support caregivers, entire families are put at risk.

But when caregivers are supported, everything improves. People stay at home longer. Health outcomes get better. Communities grow stronger.

Caregiving isn’t a private problem. It’s a public priority.

Conclusion: Change the Story, Support the People

These five myths don’t just blur the truth. They actively hold us back from treating caregiving with the seriousness it deserves. Caregiving is real work. It’s vital. It’s often exhausting. And it shapes lives in ways most people never see.

If we want healthier families, stronger communities, and a more resilient care system, we have to start by seeing caregivers— and showing up for them.

That means:

Recognizing caregiving as skilled, valuable work
Supporting caregivers of all genders and backgrounds
Providing mental health, financial, and respite resources
Planning for the long-term, not just the urgent
Treating caregiving as a shared social responsibility

If you’re a caregiver, know this: You are not invisible. You are not alone. And you shouldn’t have to do this without support. Resources for Informal Caregivers