Alzheimer's disease: what changes in the lifestyle of family caregiver? Enfermedad de Alzheimer: ¿qué cambios hay en la vida del familiar cuidador?

This article explores the psychosocial changes that occurred in the lifestyle of family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The subjects were six family caregivers, recruited among relatives of patients treated at a hospital in public health system. This is a qualitative study conducted through a semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to the technique of qualitative analysis. The results showed that some areas of lifestyle of family caregivers were affected, which often required to waive or postpone their own personal projects. Even suggesting that they are more vulnerable to suffering psychological disorders, there may be an impairment in their physical health too. Key-words: Alzheimer’s disease; Caregiver; Psychosocial changes. Resumen Este articulo se centra en los cambios psicosociales que se produjeron en la vida de los familiares cuidadores de personas mayores con enfermedad de Alzheimer. Participaron de este estudio seis cuidadores familiares que fueron reclutados en un hospital publico. Tratase de una investigacion cualitativa, en que se utilizo una entrevista semiestructurada, analizada de acuerdo con la tecnica del Analisis de Contenido Tematico. Los resultados muestran que muchas areas (familiar, social, salud) de la vida de los cuidadores fueron afectadas y que a menudo ellos se ven obligados a suspender o posponer sus propios proyectos de vida. Ademas, tambien sugieren que son mas vulnerables a sufrir trastornos psicologicos, pudiendo tambien comprometer su salud fisica. Palabras-clave: Enfermedad de alzheimer; Cuidador familiar; Cambios psicosociales.