Supporting families over the life course: mapping temporality

Background The present paper addresses a rather neglected dimension of family caregiving, its temporality. Many accounts of caregiving assume a state of stasis, and therefore, overlook factors which shape the evolving experience of family caregiving over the life course. Methods The paper begins by offering some reflections on theoretical and methodological issues identified by life-course researchers. Results Based both on theoretical propositions and a growing body of empirical evidence, this paper offers a heuristic for thinking about caregiving stages applied to families supporting people with intellectual disability. Conclusions This heuristic is used to suggest further avenues of research and development.