O Impacto da Doença de Alzheimer na Rede Familiar/Cuidador: Conhecimento e o Papel do Uso de Apoios na Satisfação e na Sobrecarga

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease, as a neurodegenerative pathology, is characterized by a gradual decline in the ability to perform daily activities, eventually leading to caregiver dependency. This study aimed to evaluate caregivers' knowledge of available support or assistance, as well as the impact of using these supports, on caregiver satisfaction and burden in Alzheimer's disease patients. The study involved 43 caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients followed in the outpatient clinic of Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, who completed a questionnaire related to support/assistance utilization, satisfaction levels, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory. Statistical analyses comprised t-test or Mann-Whitney tests, chi-square tests, and univariate general linear models. The results revealed a lack of knowledge about available resources and supports. Caregivers receiving support tended to care for patients in more advanced stages of the disease (p=0,001). The presence of support was correlated with an increase in time-dependent burden (p=0,013). Additionally, it was also associated with a decrease in emotional burden (p=0,026), an association, however, that lost significance (p=0,081) in the adjusted model considering patient age, CDR disease staging, and hours spent caregiving. The results highlight the importance of support presence in caregiver burden and advocate for enhanced dissemination of such resources.