Informal and Formal Networks

When faced with a serious health issue or disability, people seek different types and levels of social support from various sources. An individual's formal support network consists of professionally trained, (often) paid service providers and groups for whom delivering physical assistance, resources, emotional support or psychological care is their stated, explicit purpose. An informal support network is a group of individuals or organizations who are not financially or legally required to provide care or comfort to an individual, but do so by choice or because they feel emotionally obligated. Both networks offer unique benefits and limitations, and are utilized in different situations. Informal support networks mainly provide support defined as “help,” which is voluntary assistance that fits into the provider's own available time. Formal networks are typically relied on to provide “care,” which is more demanding, more technical, and follows clear-cut requirements and expectations.