Cuidadores de idosos com Alzheimer: desafios vivenciados durante a pandemia da Covid-19

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, distinguished by a progressive, bilateral, diffuse and degenerative atrophy of the brain. Due to the progression of the symptoms of the disease, the elderly person experiences a situation of dependence on care that, most of the time, is performed by a family member at home. Objective: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the caregiver's life of Alzheimer's patients. Methodology: This is a descriptive study of qualitative approach carried out through interviews with caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. The data collection was made by phone call following a semi-structured script with open questions about the theme in question. The data were transcribed and later analyzed in the MAXQDA software, using the theoretical-methodological referential of hermeneutics-dialectics as a basis. Results: After the analysis of the reports, three thematic categories were created: Self-esteem and difficulties encountered by the caregiver during the pandemic; Impact of the pandemic on income, health and care provision; and Prevention and coping measures of COVID-19. Conclusion: Based on the perception of caregivers of people with Alzheimer's, it was found that social isolation can have an important impact on the care process. In this sense, there were reports of worsening of the person with the disease and greater difficulties in this follow-up. However, despite the challenges brought by the pandemic moment, the caregivers proved to be adapted and resilient.