Positive aspects of caring and social support in informal caregivers of persons with dementia Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Dementia is characterized by the loss of cognitive functions that hinder the ability of life in community (Fernández, 2010) and leads to dependence in ADLs (Gratão et al, 2010). Emerges the figure of the informal caregiver, who is a pillar in the life of the dependent person (Sánchez e González, 2010). According to Miller and Powell Lawton (1997 cited by Semiatin and Connor, 2012), the great focus given to negative aspects of caring obscure the existence of positive aspects. Inserted in the Erasmus program, a stage was developed at the Asociación de Familiares de Enfermos de Alzheimer y otras Demências de Galícia (AFAGA).To know the most valued positive aspects of caring, as well as caregivers’ perception about the received social support. Correlational study with a questionnaire including caring positive aspects and perceived social support scales to 86 carers of people with dementia. Caregivers had an average of 55.99 ± 11.43 years of age, were mostly female, married and children of the cared person. The most valued positive aspects were: to feel good about oneself; greater appreciation of life; greater sense of utility. It was found that the higher the perception of family support, the higher the perception of friends’ support (p = 0.013) of other supports (p < 0.001) and global social support (p < 0.001). It was still concluded that as caring positive aspects perception increases, increases the perception of friends support (p = 0.011), other supports (p = 0.014) and the perceived global of social support (p = 0.004). Data allow us to conclude on the importance of social support in the perception of positive aspects of caring.

publication date

  • January 1, 2014