Book excerpt: The range, duration, and intensity of informal caregiving across different illnesses and disabilities have increased in the 21st century due to an increase in longevity and de-institutionalization in most countries. Caregiving is demanding and hence can be stressful in terms of time, effort, and financial requirements, depending on the nature of the illness or disability, the relationships between the person in need of support and the caregiver, and the role played by available health and social care services. However, research evidence has demonstrated that it can be also rewarding, and enables a different type of bonding than was the case before caregiving became a necessity.