Dementia caregivers

Demencija je veoma raširena i za sada neizlječiva bolest osobito raširena među starijim stanovništvom. Alzheimerova bolest najčešći je oblik demencije. Zbog njezine progresivne prirode oboljela osoba ne može samostalno funkcionirati i brinuti o sebi što dovodi do ovisnosti o drugima. Ulogu njegovatelja najčešće preuzimaju članovi obitelji ne imajući u vidu kompleksnost takvog oblika skrbi. Najčešće su suočeni s povećanim financijskim pritiskom, nemogućnošću usklađivanja obiteljskih i poslovnih obveza i nedostatkom vremena za sebe. Zbog nedovoljno znanja o bolesti i njezinom tijeku te nedostatku adekvatne socijalne podrške često se socijalno izoliraju. Upravo se zbog toga oni nazivaju „žrtvama bolesti“ jer demencija osim na oboljelu osobu značajne posljedice ostavlja i na samog njegovatelja.Dementia is a widespread and currently incurable disease which mainly affects older population. Alzhemeir is the most common cause of dementia. Because of its progressive nature, people with the disease cannot function on their own or take care of themselves, which leads to dependence on others. The role of a caregiver is usually taken over by members of the family without them realizing the complexity of such type of caregiving. They are most often faced with the increased financial pressure, inability to balance their family and business commitments and lack of free time. Caregivers are often socially isolated because of their inadequate knowledge about the disease and its progress and the lack of appropriate social support. This is the main reason why they are called “the victims of the disease“, as dementia significantly affects not only the person with the disease but also the caregiver