Occupational performance of the patient, perception and burden of the elderly caregiver in the dementia process

Abstract

The objective is to characterize the sociodemographic profile of a demented elderly and their caregiver, to evaluate the occupational performance of the elderly under the perception of the respective caregiver, and the burden level of this caregiver. As a method, a descriptive, qualitative and quantitative research was performed. For data collection, a questionnaire for sociodemographic characterization and the instruments Occupational patient performance questionnaire and Zarit overload scale were used. The general prevalence of informal female caregivers (88.2%) with severe overload (52.9%) was found, due to the care provided to the elderly in dementia, especially regarding instrumental activities of daily living. , as 88.2% of these live with family caregivers. The results obtained corroborate the need for health care and intervention strategies with the informal caregiver of patients in dementia, aiming at minimizing the burden, improving the quality of life and preventing more aggravating aspects of the disease in this elderly. and subsequently to their caregiver.

Keywords: Caregiver; Overload; Old man; Dementia process.