Sobrecarga ocupacional e invisibilidade do cuidado: contribuições da terapia ocupacional ao cuidador informal

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Informal care, often provided by women, is marked by physical, emotional, and social overload, intensified by social invisibility and the lack of public policies that recognize care as work. In this context, Occupational Therapy stands out as a key field for understanding and addressing the challenges faced by informal caregivers, offering strategies aimed at promoting their well-being and autonomy. OBJECTIVE: To describe the interventions of Occupational Therapy in addressing the burden of informal caregivers. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative integrative review of articles published between 2021 and 2024, using the databases SciELO, PubMed, Google Scholar, BVS, and LILACS. RESULTS: Caregivers face multiple forms of burden, exacerbated by weak support networks. Interventions such as workshops, therapeutic groups, and self-care strategies showed potential to promote well-being and restore meaningful occupations. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Occupational Therapy plays a central role in valuing caregiving and promoting the autonomy of caregivers. There is an urgent need for specific public policies that support and recognize the work of informal caregivers.