Strategies used by informal caregivers to face neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly people with dementia.

Abstract

This study aims to discuss strategies used by informal caregivers regarding neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly people with dementia. A sample of 26 caregivers answered a demographic questionnaire, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and reported on the psycho-social strategies used against neuropsychiatric disorders. The results were described in frequency. The mean age of the caregivers was 57.54 years old; 84.61% were women; 50% were the elderly son or daughter; and the mean time as caregivers was 7.51 years. The most prevalent symptoms were apathy, agitation/aggression, anxiety, and depression. The caregivers reported their own strategies to address behavior changes, and among the most frequent ones there were: not to confront the elderly but to distract them, to involve them in activities or to use dialog. Psychosocial interventions can facilitate the management of behavior changes in dementia and reduce care overload, Also, offering caregivers information that contributes to coping with such alterations is of great importance.