PsychologyJuly 4, 2026

caregiving

/ˈkɛərˌɡɪvɪŋ/

Definition

The act of providing physical, emotional, or logistical assistance to family members who are aging or otherwise unable to support themselves.

Etymology

The word is a compound formed from 'care,' originating from the Old English 'caru' meaning sorrow or anxiety, and 'giving,' from the Old English 'giefan.' It emerged in modern English as a specific term to describe the formal and informal provision of support to dependent individuals.

In the news

In the article, the term describes a primary source of stress for middle-aged adults who must balance their careers with the responsibility of caring for aging parents and grown children. This pressure is a key factor in the declining mental and cognitive health of this demographic.

The New Midlife Crisis: Mental and Cognitive Health in Middle-Aged Americans Is Declining

Read the full article ↗

Association for Psychological Science – APS

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