PSYCHOGERONTOLOGY ATTENTION FOR CAREGIVERS OF SENIORS RELATIVES WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

This study proposed to investigate in the perspective of family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer's (n = 25) before and after their participation in the Psychogerontology, Social-familiar and Educational Care Program: the principal activities in the care task; the feelings towards these tasks; the experience of the overcharged roles; family support and the level of personal resilience; and the impact on personal and family life of interventions developed during a Program. The following instruments were used: a structured self-administered questionnaire; perception of family support inventory (IPSF); Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBI) and Resilience Scale. It was verified that after the intervention there was a greater demonstration of affection through words between family members (p = 0.020), accept things without much concern (p = 0.018) and an increase in instrumental activities related to the care task developed by caregivers (p = 0.002). However, there was observed that caregivers increased stress (p = 0.040) and shame (p = 0.018) with the patient’s behavior.