“Characterístics of caregivers of dependent elderly persons within the context of Family Health.” / "Características dos cuidadores de idosos dependentes no contexto da Saúde da Família"

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2005

RESUMO

The prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases, together with health care for the elderly and support for family caregivers, represents new challenges for our health system. Providing care for caregivers is also a responsibility of health professionals. The objectives of the present study were to characterize informal caregivers of dependent elderly persons in the Family Health Nuclei (NSF) of CSE-FMRP-USP and to describe some of the difficulties and necessities faced by these caregivers while performing care activities and the overload that these activities impose on the body and health of caregivers. The study was conducted on 52 caregivers belonging to families registered at the NSF, who answered a questionnaire with open and closed questions entitled “Characteristics of caregivers of the elderly within the context of Family Health”. The interviews were held in the residence of the caregivers in the months of September and October 2004. The caregivers were predominantly women ranging in age from 50 to 70 years. Most of them were married, i.e., they divided their time between the responsibilities towards house and family and the caregiving activities. Regarding the degree of kinship with the elderly persons, most were daughters, followed by spouses. Regarding the presence of home care, most reported that they were receiving assistance from the NSF teams. Most of the caregivers had learned on their own about the activities involved in caring for a sick person, in a practical manner, on the basis of trial and error. The difficulties faced in performing home activities varied according to the degree of dependence of the elderly person and to the family support received by the caregiver. The alterations in the body and in health after the beginning of the caregiving activities ranged from physical ones such as the appearance of body pains, especially back pains, to psychological and emotional ones such as stress, depression, anguish, and increased worries. The general observations made by the caregivers regarding the process of caring for somebody sick varied, with some believing that the process was good and stating that they accepted the situation, while others stated that it was a question of obligation, affection and responsibility. All the information analyzed confirmed that a successful maintenance, recovery or promotion of the health of the elderly is directly related to the preparation of, and support to, the caregivers. The Family Health Program arises within this new perspective as a strategy for Summary the reform of the system, providing important changes in the actions, in the organization of services and in the practice of health care, with valorization of the family theme.

ASSUNTO(S)

cuidadores saúde da família family health caregivers elderly persons idosos

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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