The caregiver and the attention given to Alzheimer´s disease patients: nursing contributions

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to recognize the care activities provided by caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients, with a focus on the difficulties faced in the daily home care. METHODS: Qualitative data analysis was performed using the Collective Subject Discourse proposed by Lefévre & Lefévre. RESULT: The results pointed to eight activities provided by the caregiver at home: body, mouth and hair hygiene; feeding, attendance and vigilance, physiological needs; clothing and communication. The main difficulties faced by the caregiver were: the subjectivity of caregiving; the patient's family; and corporal hygiene. CONCLUSION: We conclude that providing care to Alzheimer's disease patients requires knowledge and improvement of emotional skills and strategies, once this activity is immersed in the patient's subjectivity and in the subjectivity of the caregiver himself.