Elderly with Alzheimer's disease: the care and the knowledge of the familial caregiver

Abstract

This is a descriptive qualitative study carried out in a Referral Center for Alzheimer's disease in the city of Curitiba - Paraná. The objective was to reveal the knowledge and the care system of family members that care for elderly with Alzheimer's disease. Information was collected at the patients'home from 14 caregivers via semi-structured interviews. The following domains emerged from the analysis: protection measures and stimulus as consequence of a non-acceptance of the disease; the disease symptoms cause fatigue in the caregiver; modifications in family life as a result of Alzheimer's disease; awareness of the disease by personal experience and by the media. Knowledge of family caregivers about Alzheimer's disease is limited to information provided by the media in brochures distributed to the population and to common sense knowledge. This contributes to the employment of non-recommended practices and increases the caregiver responsibility. Care is generally accepted and developed uncritically by caregivers that are imposed by family tradition. It is understood that providing appropriate information is essential for professionals who want to develop the caregiver's autonomy and decision-making when caring for the elderly. If they are informed about the disease and its evolution caregivers will have the opportunity to plan the care for the elderly and to delay the grievances characteristics of the disease and thus minimize the impact on their lives.