The Problem of Family Caregivers: The Challenges of in Home Care

  • Heloísa Freiria Tsukamoto Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP
  • Angela Fabiano de Almeida Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP
  • Lígia Franciele Bortolloti Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP
  • Eliane Aparecida Ribeiro Faculdade de Apucarana
  • Fernanda Rodrigues Egydio Maiola Faculdade de Apucarana
  • Guilherme Andrade Salvador Faculdade de Apucarana
  • Priscila Longo Silvestre da Silva Faculdade de Apucarana
Keywords: Orientation, Caregivers, Physiotherapy, Health Promotion.

Abstract

In hospitals, the policy of encouraging patients discharge as soon as possible imposes the challenge of preparing the family to reorganize their lives at home so that they can take care of the sick person in few days. The aim of this research was to identify the knowledge of caregivers of bedridden patients about possible secondary complications, prevention and treatment, and to report major difficulties in caring for the patient suffering from chronic illness. Study participants were 29 caregivers of patients in a situation of special care dependency, at the Hospital da Providência in Apucarana, PR, Brazil. The interview comprised questions about the knowledge of caregivers about the patient's illness and its implications, risks of complications and actions and resources used in preventing them. Respondents were predominantly women, daughters or wives, married, elementary school educated, that did not perform activities outside the home and never took care of a sick person before. Analyzing the results, it was noticed that there was little knowledge about the disease and its possible secondary complications. The best known is the pressure sore, but little is known about the necessary preventive care. It can be concluded that the addition of a program to prepare family caregivers for hospital discharge should be considered by health institutions.

Author Biographies

Heloísa Freiria Tsukamoto, Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP
Fisioterapeuta; Especialista em Fisioterapia Neurofuncional Adulto pela Universidade Estadual de Londrina – UEL; Docente do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: heloisaft@hotmail.com
Angela Fabiano de Almeida, Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP
Discente do 4° ano do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: gegefabi@hotmail.com
Lígia Franciele Bortolloti, Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP
Discente do 4° ano do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: ligia_bortolloti@hotmail.com
Eliane Aparecida Ribeiro, Faculdade de Apucarana
Discente do 2° ano do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: li_1210_@hotmail.com
Fernanda Rodrigues Egydio Maiola, Faculdade de Apucarana
Discente do 2° ano do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: fer_maiola@hotmail.com
Guilherme Andrade Salvador, Faculdade de Apucarana
Discente do 2° ano do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: gui__andrade@hotmail.com
Priscila Longo Silvestre da Silva, Faculdade de Apucarana
Discente do 2° ano do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade de Apucarana – FAP. E-mail: priscila-longo@hotmail.com
Published
2010-03-22
Section
Artigos Originais