Experiences to be a family caregiver of dependent elderly in the home environment

Alcimar Marcelo Do Couto,Célia Pereira Caldas,Edna Aparecida Barbosa De Castro

doi:10.15253/2175-6783.2016000100011

Abstract

To understand the experience of caring for dependent elderly in the home environment, from the perspective of family caregivers that present burden and emotional distress. Methods: this is a qualitative research with a contribution in the Theory Grounded in Data. There were home visits for observation and semistructured interviews with nine relatives of dependent elderly in self-care. Results: with the coding and analysis of empirical data, one can understand the daily cares in the care relationship with their elderly dependent relatives. The consolidated experiences underlie on positive experiences, such as solidarity by the established interaction and the maintenance of self-esteem, and negative as changes in daily routine and health, with stress identification related to the caregiver role. Conclusion: in the understanding of the family, their experiences as a caregiver in the home context varied between positive and negative aspects, which respectively minimize and maximize the feeling of burden and emotional distress.

Highlights

To assume the task of caring for a dependent elderly at home has emerged as a growing phenomenon in Brazilian society since the late 1990s when the increase in the elderly population was configured
For understanding the proposed objective, the Theory Grounded in Data was used, as we consider relevant theorizing about the phenomenon, the context of life, and the experience of caring for dependent elderly at home, for family caregivers
One of the caregivers highlighted the positive feelings involved in the care relationship, such as solidarity and was so much identified with the role, that even in the absence of the mother dependent of care, after her death, she intended to continue developing these activities in a voluntarily way, to help others

Summary

Introduction

To assume the task of caring for a dependent elderly at home has emerged as a growing phenomenon in Brazilian society since the late 1990s when the increase in the elderly population was configured. The care of the elderly is considered a duty of the family, in Brazilian culture, sometimes does not show the adequate preparation, knowledge or support to perform this role. This duty becomes legal obligation by being contained in the Brazilian Federal Constitution and the Elderly Statute[1,2]. The presence of functional decline is related to the loss of autonomy and independence, limiting selfcare capacity, compromising the quality of life and generating dependency relationships that interfere with the processes of social interaction of the elderly. The disabling process corresponds to the evolution of a chronic condition involving various social, environmental, related to lifestyle, among others risk factors[3]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion