Abstract
Alzheimer type dementia is one of the main health problems, due to the disability and dependence it produces. The implementation of Law 39/2006 attempts to respond to the needs by means of a catalogue of socio-health services and resources to provide support to the patients and their relatives. A study was conducted with 255 caregivers/relatives of people diagnosed with Alzheimer type dementia in order to determine the profile of the beneficiaries of these services, taking into account the caregivers' knowledge, the phase of the illness, and level of dependence. The results show that caregivers with knowledge of the disease and patients who are at a more advanced stage are the ones who use the most resources. Specifically, caregivers with knowledge used the family respite to a greater extent, and predominantly caregivers of patients at a mild phase of the disease enjoyed volunteer services and help at home, whereas caregivers at more advanced phases used the Day Center and economic aid. Lastly, we underline that volunteer service is used by subjects with a lower level of dependence, whereas more dependent people use economic aid the most.
Highlights
Analysis of the socio-health services used of family caregivers of Alzheimer patients
The implementation of Law 39/2006 attempts to respond to the needs by means of a catalogue of socio-health services and resources to provide support to the patients and their relatives
A study was conducted with 255 caregivers/relatives of people diagnosed with Alzheimer type dementia in order to determine the profile of the beneficiaries of these services, taking into account the caregivers' knowledge, the phase of the illness, and level of dependence
Summary
Al igual que ocurre en otros países desarrollados, en España, se están originando una serie de cambios demográficos en la estructura por edades de la población relacionados con el aumento de personas mayores y por tanto, con el progresivo envejecimiento de la población (INE, 2012). El objetivo del presente estudio consiste en analizar cuáles son las prestaciones sociosanitarias que utilizan y demandan los cuidadores familiares, en un estadio inicial o moderado de la enfermedad; valorar si estas demandas están relacionadas con el conocimiento de la enfermedad de Alzheimer por parte del cuidador y, si el nivel de dependencia de la persona cuidada o la fase de la enfermedad en la que se encuentra, implica la utilización de un recurso u otro. Tal y como se observa en la tabla 1, los cuidadores que tenían conocimiento sobre la enfermedad de Alzheimer son los que más prestaciones y recursos de atención a la dependencia están utilizando, en comparación con aquellos que no tienen ninguna información acerca de la enfermedad.
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