The work of elderly caregivers from the perspective of the care economy

Abstract The characteristics and work challenges of elderly caregivers are still little studied in Brazil. This article aims to explore the perceptions of elderly caregivers about their work from the perspective of the care economy. Through qualitative research, ten interviews were conducted with caregivers who offer their services to the elderly population in the person’s home. The interviews were conducted based on a semi-structured script and analyzed through content analysis. The study proposes four categories related to characteristics and challenges of this work: a) the job is presented to caregivers as a need to complement income; b) the job is a source of physical and mental suffering; c) caregivers criticize the commodification of care; and d) it points out difficulties in adjusting relationships of intimacy, affective involvement, and work compensation. The results allow exploring the subjectivity of this work and point out interventions to train workers, offering better conditions to caregivers.