The family and the care to the dependent senior: case study

Abstract

The study aimed at to understand the meaning of being caregiver for the family that takes care of the aged dependent and to identify the responsibilities of the family about the given cares to the aged one. A study was accomplished with nine caregivers at the senior’s home in the second semester of 2006, in situation of chronic degenerative illness and dependent. Was used interview half-structuralized. The ethical rules had been obeyed. It was possible to elaborate two empirical categories: the meaning of being caregiver as choice or obligation and the care of aged dependent demands much responsibility. It was considered that diary routine of the caregiver is very modified by the illness of its dependent, besides being a stressing event for the requirement of constant adjustments in the caregiver’s life, as well as the new activities, commitments and adaptations that come in the performance of the senior’s care with a chronic degenerative condition. 

Key words: Health of the elderly; Geriatric nursing; Family.