Avaliação da sobrecarga de cuidados do cuidador familiar de idosos com Alzheimer.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be defined as a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, progressive and fatal, which generates cognitive impairment, damage to memory, neuropsychiatric symptoms and behavioral changes, which can trigger the loss of autonomy of the elderly and as the need for the presence of a caregiver, which most often is a family member. Objective: To assess the burden of care and coping and adaptation strategies used by family caregivers of seniors with Alzheimer's to minimize burden of care. Methodology: This is an exploratory-descriptive study with quantitative and qualitative approach, carried out between June-July 2015, with family caregivers of elderly with AD in the town of Barra de Santa Rosa - PB, Brazil. For sample selection were adopted the following inclusion criteria: 1) be familiar caregiver of an elderly with AD; 2) caring for the elderly with Alzheimer's disease, for at least two months. The sample was composed of six caregivers. Data were collected through the Zarit Overload Scale adapted to the Portuguese language and semi-structured interviews, recorded, analyzed based on thematic content analysis technique proposed by Laurence Bardin discussion with the light of the relevant literature. Results: As application of Zarit scale was possible to see that five caregivers (83.3%) had moderate level of overload and one (16.7%), level of moderate to severe overload. The main triggers overload were: the need to assist the elderly in basic activities of daily living concomitant demand tasks that are your responsibility; provide assistance, care and be attentive to the elderly almost continuously; and the pathophysiological changes of the disease. The coping strategies and adaptation of caretakers were leaving home and let the old with someone else; live with the elderly upholding a way to see the world from their illness without cross him; call for calm and patience for the elderly and for himself; resort to television and radio; be distracted by a pet and realize their own self-care, such as personal hygiene, such as time for self-reflection. Final Thoughts: In summary, it can be considered that these family caregivers of AD patients are at a level of considerable overhead, find worrying, due to the municipality's weaknesses in living with regard to public and programs policies aimed biopsychosocial support to these individuals. In addition, the way caregivers visualize the look, the factors that lead them to present burden of care and the strategies they use to cope with and adapt to the changes of the disease have an individual meaning for each of them. In this sense, it is necessary to enhance strategies to improve the prevention of illness and prevent caregiver burden through public policies, bio-psychosocial support programs, education initiatives in health and formal preparation, improving the care provided to older people and leaving more caregivers prepared to deal with the conditions imposed by the disease, reducing the impact on your life.