This article aims to reflect on the care given to the families that experience a chronic health situation, with a basis on the performance of Nucleus of Studies, Researches, Attendance and Support to the Family at Universitade Estadual de Maringá. The core activity is a home service to these families, considering they present great fragility in several aspects which compromise their functions as a unit, their way of living, and interacting. The needs and problems experienced by the families are discussed, questioning the professional training to properly help them. The nucleus proposal of actions, the challenges faced, and necessary changes in the care as a strategy of improvement on the quality of life in the family are presented. It is concluded that care should prioritize the bond between health care and families and focus their actions in promoting activities and rehabilitation, preventing complications, and providing for valorization of the family strengths, starting with the mobilization of the community's resources.
Family; Chronic disease; Empathy