Caracterização de pessoas idosas com doenças de ALZHEIMER e seus cuidadores: impactos á saúde e sobrecarga.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is progressive neurodegenerative, of unknown etiology with insidious onset, with distinct neuropathological and neurochemical components that go beyond the biology of aging to unfold in social changes of culturally established roles, interferes in the life of the person as well as in the family life, is commonly diagnosed through clinical differences. The objective of this study is to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and health conditions of the elderly enrolled in the NEUROSAD project; as well as the health status of caregivers. This is a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach, carried out between August 2016 and July 2017. Two questionnaires with objective questions and the Zarit Scale were used for data collection. The prevalence of elderly women aged between 70 and 81 years or more, married, with 1 to 4 years of schooling, with up to 5 years of diagnosis, with progressive loss of memory and partially dependent of care is highlighted. As for the caregivers, the majority are female, aged between 31 and 59 years old, up to 5 years as caregiver, 12 years old or more of schooling, children or daughters of elderly people cared for, presenting moderate overload and do not report comorbidities. However, through the dissemination of this information, it is necessary to search for strategies through multiprofessionality and the activation of Public Policies so that it is possible to establish goals that prioritize this health condition and bring support and quality of life to elderly people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.