Home care of the dependent elderly: a few heart-felt considerations from someone involved - DOI: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v8i2.8198

Abstract

The main subject of this article was to identify the main caregiver of dependent elderly at home and to define what are the changes that occur in the lives of the caregiver and his family. We used a qualitative study, with a semi-structured interview as the main tool. We interviewed 12 caregivers of dependent elderly by CVA belonging to families of the Porto and Braga regions (Portugal). The final goal of this work is to give some contribution for the improvement of family nursing. The results showed that spouses and daughters are the main caregivers of the dependent elderly at home. Taking upon themselves the role of caregivers, they see their lives turned upside down, with their social role, their leisure activities and even their jobs becoming truly affected. Most of these caregivers have the support of children and of a few friends and neighbours. We identified changes and rearrangement in structure and function of the family unit.