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Abstract

This book is comprised of three sections: the problems and consequences of the push for more de-institutionalized health care, the issues that crop up in this context, and the perceptions of the caregiver. At the core of this text are the two groups of women who are most present in this new context: the informal caregivers or family helpers and the nurses. Three conclusions become evident. Firstly, the push for home care has many negative consequences, especially for women. Secondly, although the help of a family member makes possible the dispensation of care at home, something wished for by most patients, it also entails an increase in, and professionalization of, the tasks for the caregiving family member. Finally, using the home as the place of care also has the consequence of increasing the tasks of nursing personnel, to the point where there is a perception that the quality of care has decreased.