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Review
. 2009;11(2):217-28.
doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.2/hbrodaty.

Family caregivers of people with dementia

Henry Brodaty  1 , Marika Donkin
Affiliations
Review

Family caregivers of people with dementia

Henry Brodaty et al. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009.

Abstract
in English, Spanish, French

Family caregivers of people with dementia, often called the invisible second patients, are critical to the quality of life of the care recipients. The effects of being a family caregiver, though sometimes positive, are generally negative, with high rates of burden and psychological morbidity as well as social isolation, physical ill-health, and financial hardship. Caregivers vulnerable to adverse effects can be identified, as can factors which ameliorate or exacerbate burden and strain. Psychosocial interventions have been demonstrated to reduce caregiver burden and depression and delay nursing home admission. Comprehensive management of the patient with dementia includes building a partnership between health professionals and family caregivers, referral to Alzheimer's Associations, and psychosocial interventions where indicated.

Los familiares que cuidan a personas con demencia, a menudo denominados los segundos pacientes invisibles, son determinantes para la calidad de vida de quienes reciben dichos cuidados. Las consecuencias para el familiar cuidador, aunque en ocasiones son positivas, en general resultan negativas; hay una alta frecuencia de carga y morbilidad psicológica, como también aislamiento social, enfermedades fisicas y restricciones económicas. Se pueden identificar los cuidadores que serán vulnerables a los efectos adversos, como también los factores que reducen o aumentan la carga y la tensión. Se ha demostrado que las intervenciones psicosociales reducen la carga y la depresión, y retrasan el ingreso a residencias especializadas en el cuidado de estos pacientes. El manejo integral de los pacientes con demencia incluye la asociación entre los profesionales de la salud y los familiares cuidadores, la derivación a agrupaciones de pacientes con Enfermedad de Alzheimer y las intervenciones psicosociales cuando éstas estén indicadas.

Souvent appelé « les seconds patients invisibles », les aidants familiaux, qui s'occupent des patients atteints de démence sont essentiels à leur qualité de vie. Les conséquences de la maladie sur cet entourage sont parfois positives mais généralement négatives avec une charge et une morbidité psychologique élevées, un isolement social, une altération physique et des difficultés financières. Il est possible d'identifier les aidants qui seront vulnérables de même que les facteurs qui améliorent ou aggravent leur charge et leur stress. Il existe des interventions psychosociales susceptibles de diminuer la charge et la dépression des aidants familiaux et de retarder l'admission du patient en institution spécialisée. La prise en charge globale du patient atteint de démence demande une collaboration entre les professionnels de santé et les aidants familiaux, une orientation vers les associations de patients atteints de la maladie d'Alzheimer et des interventions psychosociales lorsqu'elles sont indiquées.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Poulshock and Deimling model of caregiver strain (modified):
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Pearlin et al model of caregiver strain.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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