Delivered by Ingenta IP : 109.94.175.76 On: Sun, 23 Dec 2018 20:37:56 Copyright The Policy Press 247 International Journal of Care and Caring • vol 1 • no 2 • 247–73 • © Policy Press 2017 • #IJCC Print ISSN 2397-8821 • Online ISSN 2397-883X • https://doi.org/10.1332/239788217X14957228181753 article Information and communication technology- mediated support for working carers of older family members: an integrative literature review Stefan Andersson, stefan.andersson@lnu.se Christen Erlingsson, christen.erlingsson@lnu.se Linnaeus University, Sweden Lennart Magnusson, lennart.magnusson@lnu.se Elizabeth Hanson, elizabeth.hanson@lnu.se Linnaeus University, Sweden, and Swedish Family Care Competence Centre, Sweden How best to support working carers is being paid increased attention across Europe and internationally. This article examines a largely unexplored area within the empirical literature, namely, information and communication technology-mediated support for working carers of older people. Using an integrative review methodology to draw on both quantitative and qualitative data, 14 studies were identifed. Themes included making work–life balance easier, reducing the burden of caregiving and promoting well-being. Factors to consider in the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative support solutions for working carers are put forward. However, a lack of longitudinal studies and biased samples warrants further investigation. key words information and communication technology • older people • carer support • working carers To cite this article: Andersson, S., Erlingsson, C., Magnusson, L. and Hanson, E. (2017) ‘Information and communication technology-mediated support for working carers of older family members: an integrative literature review’, International Journal of Care and Caring, 1(2): 247–73, DOI: 10.1332/239788217X14957228181753 Introduction Approximately 40% of carers in the European Union (EU) are working carers (Hofmann and Rodrigues, 2010), that is, adult children, spouses, relatives or friends who care for an older family member while engaging in paid work. While high- intensity caring over time is commonly associated with high levels of carer burden, Phillips (2005) revealed that working carers may experience employment as a form of respite from caregiving. In other words, the workplace is a social arena compensating for a reduced social life due to caregiving responsibilities (Phillips, 2005). Nevertheless,