Caredependent

Caredependent is a term used to describe a person who requires ongoing assistance with daily living activities or medical tasks due to age, disability, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment. In healthcare, social services, and gerontology, caredependent is used to distinguish individuals who rely on others for support from those who are able to manage independently. The term can function as both an adjective (a caredependent individual) and a noun (a caredependent).

Needs and living arrangements: Caredependents typically require help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility, as well as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like shopping, finances, and transportation. Medical management, supervision, and safety support are common components of care. Needs may be temporary, such as after surgery, or long-term due to frailty, chronic illness, or cognitive decline. They may live at home with formal or informal caregivers, in assisted living facilities, or in nursing homes.

Policy, research, and ethics: The status of caredependents influences eligibility for services and funding, caregiver workload, and care outcomes. Research often examines care dependence to assess quality of life, independence, and the impact on families. Ethical considerations include autonomy, consent, dignity, and the right to appropriate levels of support. Terminology varies by region and discipline; some prefer terms such as “care recipient” to emphasize personhood, while others use “caredependent” to highlight dependence on care. Services for caredependents commonly involve coordinated care plans, respite for caregivers, caregiver training, and adaptive equipment.