Open AccessPerceptions on the Quality of Life of Caregivers Caring for Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease in Brazil: An Urgent Need for Social and Health Policies
Author(s) -
Marina Celly Martins Ribeiro de Souza,
Diana Da Silva,
Natalia de Cássia Horta,
Júnia Andressa Rodrigues Melgaço,
Lorraine Baêta Viana Martins,
Carolina Marques Borges
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of studies in nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2529-7317
pISSN - 2424-9653
DOI - 10.20849/ijsn.v5i4.844
Subject(s) - quality of life (healthcare) , metropolitan area , workload , gerontology , perception , affect (linguistics) , social support , disease , psychology , caregiver burden , health care , medicine , nursing , dementia , political science , social psychology , communication , pathology , neuroscience , computer science , law , operating system
The aim of this research was to analyze the perceptions on the quality of life of caregivers who care for older adults with Alzheimer's disease. This study was conducted in the municipality of Betim, located in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Thirty-two interviews were conducted with formal and informal caregivers. Data were organized into two empirical categories which affect the quality of life of caregivers: 1) older adult’s familial support, and 2) the burden of caregiver’s extensive workload. Results indicate that the quality of life of a caregiver can be elevated and improved through social support services provided by healthcare professionals, as well as health and social policies which allow a stronger support of caregivers through governmental programs.