Conjugalidade, funcionamento familiar e doença de Alzheimer: um estudo com esposas cuidadoras brasileiras e portuguesas

Abstract

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible disease, which causes memory loss, impaired motor activity and consequently impairs autonomy, causing the sick person to need help. The dynamics of care, marriage and family change according to the progression of the disease, and there is a need for greater support to the caregiver spouses. This study aimed to analyze conjugality and family functioning in the perspective of Brazilian and Portuguese caregivers of elderly people with AD. Twelve women participated in the study, and the sample was obtained for convenience. We used a questionnaire with closed questions and interview with a semi-structured script, the data analyzed by the Bardin content analysis technique and descriptive statistical analysis. The results pointed out that despite the cultural differences, some meanings attributed to the concept of marriage and care in the context of Alzheimer's disease were similar for Brazilian and Portuguese wives. It was also found that in relation to marital changes related to dementia, most wives felt well performing their role of caregiver, and that the impact caused by the disease is not always seen negatively in marriage. The results also identified different types of support received by the Brazilian and Portuguese wives, which may be due to cultural differences.

Estratégias de coping para cônjuges de idosos com diagnóstico neuropsiquiátrico

“…A satisfação e o ajustamento são interligados, pois os casais mais satisfeitos são aqueles que, em contato com obstáculos do meio, se ajustam a eles. Enquanto a qualidade conjugal seria o resultado da interação que o casal tem e como eles a vivenciam (Garcia, 2018). Dessa forma, entende-se que, ao haver um comprometimento de dois indivíduos em uma união estável de longa duração, os dois precisam desenvolver um modelo de funcionamento conjugal.…”