The perception of family caregivers regarding the changes that occur after the diagnosis of dementia

Abstract Objectives : to identify the perceptions of family caregivers regarding the changes that occurred in the family after an elderly relative received a diagnosis of dementia, measuring the changes in the level of burden and analyzing the discourse of such caregivers. Method : the research was conducted through an interview and sociodemographic questionnaire, in addition to the application of a scale that measures caregiver burden, the Zarit Burden Interview. These procedures were applied in two stages, in the multidisciplinary reception of a geriatric clinic, and after three months of care. For the qualitative analysis, the IRaMuTeQ software was used, where, in the first stage, the results were as follows: in the Descending Hierarchical Classification (DHC) four classes were identified: Time (25.00%), Knowledge (33.00%), Consequences and Causes (19.40%); In the Word Cloud (WC), the word ‘No” prevailed. In the second stage, DHC presented six classes, Current Time (13.70%), General Causes (15.70%), Future Time (13.70%), Actions (17.60%), Consequences (23.50%) and Immediate Causes (15.70%). The WC continued to refer most frequently to the word ‘No’. For quantitative analyzes, the SPSS software was used. Results : in most cases, the profile of caregivers was women (75.00%), wives (62.00%), primary caregivers (87.50%), and the elderly (60-75 years). The assessment of burden was moderate to severe (75.00%). Conclusion : caring for a relative with a diagnosis of dementia has direct implications for family caregivers, especially family caregivers facing the aging process. The demands of caring modify the family routine and greatly increase the burden of caregivers.