Alzheimer y familiaUna figura en la sombra ¿cómo son los que cuidan?

Abstract

Life expectancy in developed societies has grown considerably in recent decades. Parallel to this growth there is an increase in the number of cases connected with age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease´s. When a patient is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, the figure of the caretaker appears alongside the patient. This is the person who looks after the sick twenty-four hours a day for years. Being such an important figure at both family and social levels, it deserves to be studied as an emerging social agent. Although there are theoretical studies on this figure, the main objective of this study is to analyze the profile of caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients in the city of Huelva (Spain). For this purpose, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 127 caregivers. In order to describe the profile of the caretaker, the results are analyzed regarding sex, age, commitment, and health problems related to coexistence,Data may be useful for the design of intervention programs and psychological support for this group