Evaluation of the efficiency of the program of combined psychocorrection of the persons performing the function of caring for patients with dementia

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of the step-by-step psychocorrection program for caregivers of patients with dementia by studying the dynamics of clinicalpsychopathological manifestations and the level of social functioning. With the help of sociodemographic, clinical-psychopathological, psychodiagnostic and statistical examination methods, 104 caregivers (100 women, 4 men) and 104 patients with dementia were examined on the basis of the PI “Regional institution for the provision of psychiatric care of the Poltava Regional Council”. Caregiver inclusion criteria were: signed informed consent, age of caregivers 25 years or older, caring for one patient with dementia and being with him at least 5 times a week, at least 4 hours a day. According to modern clinical interpretations, dementia is a clinical syndrome, usually chronic or prone to progression, characterized by a complex of manifestations in the form of disorders of memory, attention, thinking, gnosis, praxis, speech, psyche, behavior, social functioning and a pronounced decrease in the quality of life. The lack of formed pro-social networks and the lack of social support, both from the family and from friends, makes caregivers more vulnerable to stress factors. The obtained data were used as a basis for the development of a programs of complex phased psychocorrection. In a situation of deterioration of the patient's condition, the burden on the caregiver also increases. The fact of maladjustment of patients with dementia is a very relevant issue, because this disease not only reduces the quality of life of patients, but also leads to large non-material and material costs due to the need for long-term and constant care for a sick relative with a severe or moderate course of dementia. Key words: rehabilitation, anxiety, psycho-emotional stress, comprehensive therapy, dementia, psychosocial maladaptation