Resumo

ESANDI LARRAMENDI, Nuria  e  CANGA-ARMAYOR, Ana. Family care and Alzheimer's disease: a literature review. Gerokomos [online]. 2011, vol.22, n.2, pp.56-61. ISSN 1134-928X.

Mental illness such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) are the major cause of dependence in older people. As a result, attention to relatives who care for dependent elderly people with AD has gained national interest. A literature review shows that most studies about family care of AD patientes are focused on the primary caregiver, while there is limited nursing research focused on how the AD affects the family unit. Coping with the AD means to the family redefine roles, change expectations, deal with altered relationships and adopt a practical way to solve difficult situations. Therefore health professionals and specifically nursing professionals has the need to provide nursing care not only to the patient and primary caregiver, but the whole family unit.

Palavras-chave : Family care; lay caregiver; family unit; Alzheimer's disease; nursing; family nursing.

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