Informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients and socio-economic burden

Introduction Tunisia is knowing a significant increase of the elderly population, this phenomenon comes along with an increase of the incidence of degenerative pathologies "dependent on the age" as the Alzheimer's disease. The physical and psychic consequences of the disease and also the behavior of family members are an important determinant of quality of life and economic activities of both patients and informal caregivers. Objectives and methods Our aims are to establish characteristicsof60 informal cargivers of Alzheimer's patients followed in the department of neurology in Razi's Hospital and to estimate their socioeconomic burden through a descriptive study. Results Our sample of caregivers was predominantly female with a moderate socio-economic conditions in 36,66%. The support was provided in 2/3 of cases exclusively by the informal caregivers. 22,66% ( n =13) of them lost their profession since the beginning of assistance's relationship. Among caregivers, 8% were forced to leave their homes to be closer to their ailing sibling. Conclusion Our results reflect the distress of informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients, the importance of their involvement and the adverse consequences on their quality of life and professional activities.