ObjectiveTo discuss the demands for nursing knowledge among family caregivers for elderly people, in order to provide a basis for nurses to provide effective education for these people. MethodsBetween May and June 2012, a questionnaire which contained the condition of demands for nursing knowledge and the burden of care was used to investigate 1 600 family caregivers for the elderly people. ResultsThe caregivers had a demand for nursing knowledge, which may include the knowledge on medicine, disease and caregiving. The demand for knowledge was correlated with relationship between the caregivers and care recipients, health condition of the caregivers and care burden. ConclusionThe demands for nursing knowledge are higher in those who have spouse and high burden of care, without disease and symptom; we should pay more attention on them and take measures to reduce their burden of care.