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The Toll Caretaking of Chronically or Terminally Ill Relatives Can Have on Children

missty, Fotolia.com

Caregiving for a loved one who is chronically or terminally ill is an important job. And for people who can’t afford, or otherwise aren’t using paid nursing care, it’s also a huge and daunting task. 

It’s one that many of us will be confronted with – or already are - as we get older.

But there are also many caregivers who are thrown into the role, even as they’re still growing up.  But little research has been done into the issues facing younger caregivers. 

Melinda Kavanaugh is hoping to rectify that. Kavanaugh is an assistant professor of social work at UW-Milwaukee’s Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, and she joined Mitch Teich to talk about the support those young caregivers need.