Alzheimer’s disease in the Caregiver’s view: a case study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v12i3.6410Keywords:
Alzheimer ’s disease, Caregivers, Geriatric Nursing.Abstract
doi: 10.5216/ree.v12i3.6410Alzheimer's disease (AD) increases the demand for care due to cognitive functional impairment of carriers. The proposed study aimed to understand the meaning assigned by caregiver in providing home care to a family member with AD. This is a case study, conducted in Alfenas/MG, in 2006, through interviews applied to a caregiver of a patient with AD, identifying core meaning of understanding, which were organized and grouped into categories. Aspects observed were changes in caregiver and family lifestyle to include the new needs of AD carrier; physical and emotional burden due care; fatigue and stress manifested in irritability, frustration, sadness, loneliness - feelings often reported- associated with the daily contact with carrier; lack of resources, especially of public sector and lack of preparation in supporting the elderly and the family which provides care. Therefore, we conclude that it is necessary more studies on the family caregivers and investments in support of these, due to the increasing number of elderly and chronic degenerative diseases.
Descriptors: Alzheimer 's disease; Caregivers; Geriatric Nursing.