Introduction:

The need for care has increased exponentially in recent years, along with chronic noncommunicable diseases. Caregivers have been predominantly women, although in recent years there has been an increase in the number of men assuming this role. Each of them approaches caregiving differently, shaping their caregiving experience differently from one another.

Objective:

To identify, through scientific evidence, the meaning of being a caregiver for men and women who assume this role.

Methodology:

This is an integrative literature review of articles published from 2012 to 2023, following Whittemore and Knafl’s proposal. Keywords in Spanish, English, and Portuguese were used. The databases searched were Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ovid, and PubMed. Twenty-four articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed.

Results:

The following themes emerged: “Losses and limitations due to the caregiver’s role,” “Feelings experienced by the caregiver,” “Caregiving as an act of love,” and “Transcendence of care: between spirituality and religiosity.”

Conclusions:

It was found that men focus their care on the person’s comfort, cleanliness, and medication, while women provide care focused on continuous emotional support, assuming this commitment at all times and places, building an experience of care aimed at “always being aware.” In both genders, the onset of stress, loss of meaning in life, and negative feelings are highlighted.

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