Κατεύθυνση Προαγωγή και Αγωγή της Υγείας
Library of the School of Health Sciences

2019-11-18

2019

Davrazou Dimitra

Αντώνιος Πολίτης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Ιωάννης Τούντας, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Αρετή Λάγιου, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Δημόσιας και Κοινοτικής Υγείας, ΠΑΔΑ

Διερεύνηση των αναγκών ενημέρωσης και υποστήριξης από τις υπηρεσίες υγείας, των άτυπων φροντιστών ατόμων με άνοια

Greek

Investigating informational and support needs of carers of people with dementia from health services

Dementia is one of the major causes of dependency among the elderly population, resulting in an imperative need for care. The majority part of care is usually taken up by family members. The negative effects of long-term care extend to several dimensions of carers' life (handling difficulties in daily life, physical fatigue, emotional load, social isolation) and have a direct effect on the person with dementia. Providing support and information on care issues from formal services can act as an important factor in mitigating those impacts.
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the information and support needs of caregivers are covered or not. Particularly, we investigate those
related to the management of the various aspects of dementia in their daily lives, factors contributing to the management of their personal life and well-being, and the role of social and medical services on it.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of informal caregivers. A questionnaire was contributed to a sample of 40 informal carers, and it was investigating the information and support needs of carers and their quality of life. Random sampling was used for this purpose. The sample collection was carried out at the outpatient clinics of the Eginition Hospital and at the Alzheimer's Society of Athens Day Care Center. Scales from the questionnaires "Improving information on dementia for people with dementia and carers" and "Carer Well-Being and Support Questionnaire CWS-v2" were used to identify information and support needs. Then, the questionnaire by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered for the evaluation of quality of life, which has been translated and weighted to Greek population. The participation was voluntary and basic condition was to provide unpaid care.
Results: According to the survey results, about half of carers use specialized support services for dementia. Caregivers did not appear to experience some difficulty in finding information about the disease and felt satisfied with their relationships with healthcare professionals. With regard on the information they receive about dementia, it seems that the rates of information on important dementia care issues are low. Less than half of the sample said they were informed about the available local services and how to approach them, the management of emotional symptoms and behavioral problems that may arise from the disease, the emotional support they can receive, and the creation of a future care plan. Then, from the Pearson correlation test, it appears that as the difficulty of finding information decreases, the overall quality of life increases, and vice versa, to a moderate degree. Whereas, when dissatisfaction with participation in therapy planning increases, the physical and psychological quality of life decreases moderately, in the same way. In this study we concluded that even if the needs of caregivers by formal services appears to be covered, there are dimensions that need further evaluation and support. Conclusions: Τhe progressive development of the symptoms of dementia
makes the needs changing throughout care and it is critical to regularly evaluate them and implement targeted interventions.

Health Sciences

Dementia, Needs, Caregivers, Information, Support, Health services, Quality of life

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Yes

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https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/2885665