S17-03 - Quality of Live of Caregivers of Patients With Dementia

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes have heavy social and human consequences for the patient and his family. Beyond the neuropsychiatric effects of specific therapies for dementia, one of today's challenges is the Quality of Life(QOL) for both patients and especially their informal caregivers.

Caregivers often find themselves cutt off from friends and regular social activities. Caregivers of persons with dementia experience stressful demands, especially because of the length of time that care is required, the behavioral symptoms of patients, and the severity of decline of patients during the course of the illness.

Insufficient attention has been given to how end-of-life care affects caregivers or to caregivers responses to the death of the patient. A study conducted by some authors(eg. Schulz and al.2008) indicated that caregivers needed intervention and support services were needed most often immediately before the patient's death. Caregivers may need help in resuming their own livers after the patient's death. Psychiatrists who are called in as consultants or who have a long-term relationship with the patient or caregiver are uniquely positioned to assist the caregiver with his or her emotional needs that are associated with end-of-life care or the patient's demise.

According to literature, the caregiver's QOL is correlated to the QOL of the patient they cared for, the importance of behavioral disorders and the duration of dementia evolution. Assessment of parameters influencing caregiver's QOL and its possible link with patients QOL are very important because of necessary interventions to improve QOL.