Purpose: To present an overview of current definitions of informal caregiving and informal caregivers for persons living with dementia (PLWD). We suggest definitional criteria of informal caregiving for dementia caregiving research that incorporate current dementia caregiving policy and programs.
Method: A multi-pronged review and analysis was performed of the scientific literature from 2014 to 2024 and online documents from professional, public advocacy, and government organizations for definitions of informal caregiving and applications to informal caregiving of PLWD.