Open AccessVIRTUAL SUPPORT IN DEMENTIA A POSSIBLE VIABLE STRATEGY FOR CAREGIVERS
Author(s) -
Ceres Eloah Lucena Ferretti,
Ricardo Nitríni,
Sônia Maria Dozzi Brucki
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
dementia and neuropsychologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.54
H-Index - 21
ISSN - 1980-5764
DOI - 10.5327/1980-5764.rpda046
Subject(s) - dementia , observational study , intervention (counseling) , family caregivers , caregiver burden , medicine , psychology , health care , nursing , gerontology , disease , pathology , economics , economic growth
Background: In the last 10 months, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, several studies have demonstrated the viability of health education and virtual support strategies for caregivers of dementia patients to provide home care. Low and middle-income countries in particular, have sought to use these approaches to reduce the daily burden of caregivers, through virtual meetings providing education and support. Objectives: To present the feasibility of a pilot study on the use of a care support action under the CAAD Project - indirect costs of dementia – run by the HC-FMUSP. Methods: An observational study of 93 caregivers invited to participate in virtual 1-hour meetings three times a week was conducted. Results: Of the 93 family members who took part, 42 answered the eight questions about the effectiveness of the action after 3 months. The rate of positive responses for program satisfaction was high, ranging from 86% to 100%. Conclusion: The study results of this simple intervention suggest the utility of the program for caregivers of dementia patients in primary care. The intervention can provide a better understanding of difficulties faced by caregivers in their daily care of dementia patients and daily management guidance on a case-by-case basis. The program also promoted the implementation of an education strategy on the importance of understanding and recognizing anatomical-physiological changes in the aging process and their implications for the invisible line between senescence and senility. This process empowers the caregiver to feel able to protect both the patient and themselves by preventing the emergence of common diseases in this age group. Further studies are needed to explore this non-pharmacological support approach.