A cambio no se les ha proporcionado a las familias los recursos mínimos para poder cumplir con esta misión. Continuamente se contemplan sus obligaciones como familiares y muy rara vez sus derechos.
Esto está ocasionando grandes costes a las familias. Costes cuantificables en dinero, tiempo y oportunidades perdidas, así como en salud y calidad de vida.
El concepto de Carga Familiar, aún con sus limitaciones actuales, está lo suficientemente desarrollado como para considerarlo útil en la evaluación de la calidad de los programas de tratamiento de los pacientes y de la situación real en la práctica clínica rutinaria.
Los programas de tratamiento que se desarrollen en un futuro han de contemplar recursos para disminuir la dependencia de las familias y para prevenir y solucionar los efectos adversos que conlleva el ejercer como cuidadores.
Si la segunda mitad del siglo XX trajo el cierre de los manicomios, los cambios sociodemográficos y culturales junto a la sobrecarga a la que se les está sometiendo nos hacen temer que la primera mitad del siglo XXI traiga el «cierre» de las familias como cuidadoras de los pacientes esquizofrénicos.
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