A Review of literature of Autonomy, Rights, and the Role of the Caregiver/ Family Supporter in Accordance with Ethical and Legal Framework of Disability Care

Abstract

A caregiver is a person who provides physical and psychological care to someone, who cannot take care of themselves due to poor health, injury or having medical conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Intellectual disability, cancer, metal health conditions, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, etc, causing physical and behavioral dependence. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, which happens when you take care of someone else and is caused by prolonged caregiving stress. Caregiver burnout can impact a person physically, psychologically, and socially. It can have severe consequences both for the caregiver and care recipient. Caregiver autonomy refers to the right of caregivers—both professional and informal family members—to make independent choices about their own lives, careers, and the boundaries of the care they provide. Balancing this autonomy with ethical duties and legal obligations to care recipients requires navigating complex challenges. Author has tried to study various conditions leading to burn out states of care giver and different solution available through various schemes under the Disability Department in India and approaches by different countries. Ethical and legal practices are critically important in caregiving services., protecting caregiver autonomy, right prevents severe burnout, preserves personal identity, and ensures sustainable, high-quality care for the recipient over time.