Patient caretakers (6)
I believe the answer is:
nurses
'patient caretakers' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
This is all the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for nurses that I've seen before include "Tends to needs of sick person" , "preserves" , "Cares for the sick." , "They take care of the sick" , "Looks after" .)