Social representations of main caretakers of patients with dementia

INTRODU????O: As s??ndromes depressivas e demenciais s??o os problemas mentais mais prevalentes na popula????o idosa. A qualidade de vida de pacientes com dem??ncia depende, primordialmente, daqueles que s??o respons??veis pelos seus cuidados. Assim, ?? fundamental a realiza????o de estudos que possam descrever as percep????es, interpreta????es e rea????es dos cuidadores frente aos diversos tipos de s??ndromes demenciais, as estrat??gias encontradas para enfrent??-las associadas aos diferentes atores e a mobiliza????o de referentes culturais em torno da experi??ncia da dem??ncia. M??TODO: No presente estudo, com base na teoria das representa????es sociais, foram entrevistados 15 cuidadores, visando compreender como estes reconhecem e vivenciam a s??ndrome demencial e quais s??o as a????es realizadas por eles para lidar com a mesma. RESULTADOS: A an??lise de conte??do indicou que o preju??zo nas atividades instrumentais foram os primeiros sinais que alertaram os cuidadores para o problema de seus familiares. Ao mesmo tempo em que os cuidadores consideram eventos de vida, organicidade e hereditariedade para explicar o problema do familiar, levantam tamb??m outros aspectos que est??o intimamente associados ao contexto sociocultural, influenciando as a????es diante das manifesta????es da s??ndrome demencial. CONCLUS??O: Essas s??o informa????es essenciais para o planejamento de interven????es e pol??ticas p??blicas adequadas ??s caracter??sticas dessa popula????o.Introduction: Depressive symptoms and dementia are the most prevalent mental problems among the elderly. The quality of life of patients suffering from these disorders depends mostly on their caretakers. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to conduct research studies describing the caretaker???s perceptions, interpretations and actions in relation to different types of dementiadisorders, coping strategies developed associated with different actors and mobilization of cultural references connected to the experience of dementia. Method: In the present study, based on the theory of social representations, 15 caretakers were interviewed, focusing on their experiences and feelings about this disorder and their coping strategies. Results: Content analysis indicated that decreased instrumental activities were the first signs alerting caretakers about their relative???s problem. At the same time as caretakers consider life events, organicity and heredity to explain their relative???s problem, they also raise other aspects, which are intimately associated with the sociocultural context, influencing the actions taken regarding the dementia syndrome. Conclusion: This is essential information to plan interventions and public policie adapted to the characteristics of that population