Profile of caregivers to elderly patients served bythe primary level project of interdisciplinary assistance to the elderly - PAINP - Londrina - PR

Abstract

The care given by a human being to another is innate to living in social groups. The aim of this study is to find out the profile of caregivers within the Basic Health Unit area of the Ruy Virmond Carnasciali housing project, in North Londrina. A questionnaire was applied, with objective and subjective questions, to 91 caregivers, selected through the Primary Level Project of Interdisciplinary Assistance to the Elderly. Of the interviewed caregivers, 70.3%) are women, 21% are between 31 and 40 years old and 20% are between 51 and 60 years old. As for the relationship to the elderly patients, 39% are daughters and 31% wives. 42.7% of the caregivers dedicated more than 8 hours per day to take care of elderly. In relation to health problems developed by the caregivers, 17.6% of them reported having high blood pressure, 7.7% back pain without specific cause, 5.5% Diabetes Mellitus, 4.9% increased cholesterol level and 32.9% mentioned other kinds of sickness.