Correlation between Care Impact and Functional Capacity of Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

• Autor(a) principal: Araújo, Ana Paula Serra de
• Data de Publicação: 2010
• Outros Autores: Moreira, Raissa Carla Paulino Silva e, Slabcoushi, Renata Lu
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Saúde e Pesquisa (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unicesumar.edu.br/index.php/saudpesq/article/view/1565
• topic: Alzheimer's Disease; Functional Capacity; Caregiver.; Doença de Alzheimer; Capacidade Funcional; Cuidador.

The impact that low functional capacity of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may cause to caregivers was evaluated. An interview questionnaire developed by the authors of the study and composed from the multidimensional functional state questionnaires and Zarit was employed. Results were analyzed and classified in percentages according to frequency. Burden and stress level experienced by 21 (100%) caregivers in the study is relatively low and most difficulties faced by these caregivers in the service of AD patients is the lack of assistance from the patients’ family, especially during bath time. Although the caregivers’ burden level is relatively low, their stress level is influenced by all the difficulties faced by AD patients to whom they provide care and by the caregiver-patient relationship which, during a long period of time, generates feelings of overburden and resentment that cause a great impact on the caregivers’ lives.