Context: The increased rates of the non transmissible chronic diseases as an answer to the epidemiological pattern in the region and the country is reflected in all the age groups. With the total cost of the illness' chronic course, comes the increasing phenomenon of wearing out and the weigth of those who have to take care of another person: The family caregiver. It requires research in nursing that permits the knowledge of the experience and issues related in different contexts. Object: To compare the characteristics of the family caregivers, whose patients suffer critical diseases in Cartagena, Colombia. Methodology: Cross sectional study was carried out to compare the characteristics of the patients' with Alzheimer, children in disability situations, and cerebro-vascular illnesses and the characteristic of caregivers of people with HIV-aids. For characterization of caregivers, we used the survey called Caracterizacion de los Cuidadores, which was well-documented by the Care Team from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Results: A total of 294 caretakers took part in the study: 85 caretakers of patients with Alzheimer, 96 of children in disability, 58 with cerebro-vascular disease and 55 people with HIV-aids. Conclusions: Differences were found between the characteristics of whose patients are infected with HIV-aids and three groups of caretakers remaining in the city of Cartagena.