Restricted activities For most family caregivers continuation of their own activities was impossible. Their normal activity patterns and habits were seriously restricted. I’m a lot more home now. [In the past] we went downtown or I went to the shopping centre, or ran errands with my mother. (Interviewer: Why not now anymore?) I don’t exactly know. Probably because I don’t want to leave him alone. I don’t like to leave him alone at home.(f06, partner; ca urinary bladder) Some caregivers experienced this situation as if they were ‘prisoners in their own home’: He [the patient] is [here], and I feel like a prisoner in my own home. (f01, partner; ca lung) Other caregivers might have different experiences, and may anticipate on the time coming, as in the following case of a woman caring for her dying husband in his last week: It doesn’t bother me. There will be other times. (…) I’ll do anything for him. (f03, partner; ca lung) If caregivers have their own family, as is the case in the following example of a daughter caring for her mother, they have to commute between own home, parental home and office: You’re there all the time [in the home of the patient]. (….) I went back to my job again, but only for half days. And when I get back [from my job], I go there right away. (f04a, daughter1; ca stomach)