Abstract

Addressing the question of the caregiver’s vulnerability in the care relationship may seem out of place, even illusory. Indeed, the common image of the carer is that of a strong person, unaffected by the patient’s illness and suffering; a person who does not allow to show through the discomfort and unease associated with their activity. The Covid-19 pandemic that has marked our world in recent years has made it abundantly clear that the carer is not a god in a white/blue/pink/purple gown. Everyday experience shows us that the carer, like the patient, can be vulnerable. When caregivers are abandoned to their suffering and their vulnerability is ignored, the impact of such an experience can be detrimental to the care they provide. The aim of this article is to consider the notion of capability as a paradigm for understanding how to deal with caregiver vulnerability. Following this logic, responding to caregivers’ vulnerability means promoting an enabling care environment that enables them to develop their capabilities. The capability approach thus reminds us of the need to take into account the moral and human aspirations of caregivers in medical practice.