Complicated Moralities: Relational Ethics and Caregiver Burden

Abstract

Health challenges changed over the course of the twentieth century to produce a population with growing care needs. As healthcare systems attempt to minimize the cost of this care, they have incentivized families to become informal caregivers for their loved ones. However this change has led to strain on caregivers. Caregiver burden has far ranging consequences on the health and wellness of the caregiver. In this paper I explore how the application of traditional medical ethics is insufficient to address these challenging dynamics, and that a relational ethics lens may elucidate more sustainable care practices.