Care given to the elderly can take many forms. Two of the most common types are formal and informal. What is the difference between the two? Which one is appropriate and when? Let’s take a look.

Informal Care Givers

As the name suggests, informal caregivers are typically people who care for an elderly friend or loved one at no cost to the person receiving the care. Informal care can take many forms and be given by all sorts of people in the life of the one receiving the care. Friends, relatives, children, and even spouses give informal care.

There can be a financial impact on those that give informal care. The best example of this is the spouse that must quit a job in order to provide care. Even if there isn’t a financial impact, there could be emotional stress put upon informal care givers.  Eventually the level of care that can be provided via informal care may not be enough to meet the needs of the person receiving it, requiring formal care to be given.

Formal Care Givers

Formal caregivers are typically paid professionals. They could also be volunteers working for a charity as well. In both cases formal care givers are trained in elderly care and can provide services that informal caregivers cannot. Formal care givers can be located in the home of the patient if it makes sense to give home care.

If you need legal assistance with caregivers or elder benefits, contact Stano Law group.