Final answer:
The person responsible for caring for an ill individual, such as a parent or guardian, is known as the caregiver.
Step-by-step explanation:
The person responsible for the ill, such as a parent or guardian, is commonly referred to as the caregiver. Caregivers play a critical role in the health and well-being of individuals who are unable to care for themselves due to illness or disability. The responsibility of such individuals is to provide support, manage healthcare needs, and offer emotional care. As described by Parsons, a sick person has certain rights and responsibilities, such as the right to be exempt from normal social roles and the responsibility to seek technically competent help. These exemptions are temporary and require a physician's certification of the illness. Society also recognizes the role of family members, like grandparents, in providing care when parents are unable, often due to circumstances like drug abuse, incarceration, or abandonment.