Caregivers Defined

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS)’ defines caregivers as family members, friends, or neighbors who provide unpaid assistance to a person with a chronic illness or disabling condition. The nature of the assistance could include helping the person with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs); performing “medical” tasks such as administering intravenous drugs or caring for wounds; acting as the person’s legal representative; or other activities.