Funcionamento de famílias com idosos totalmente dependentes

Abstract

his qualitative study whose objectives were to describe life of families with elderly dependents and analyze the functioning when the family becomes totally dependent elderly, using the Model Calgary Family Assessment. Data collection was conducted in 04 households with elderly families with totally dependent through structured interviews with questions on the sociodemographic conditions of the elderly, family functioning and genograms. The first results of this study revealed that the lives of families with elderly dependents totally is different from the lives of other families with elderly dependents are not total. Although they have similar characteristics, these families have a strong impact by the changes and demands arising from total dependence of the elderly. Caring for an elderly completely dependent implies the need for financial support and other caregivers, physical structure and arrangements in space of homes, time and knowledge to care. This study also revealed that on the family functioning, it is strongly influenced by the total dependency of the elderly. Regarding the instrumental function, there is effective because members who live with the elderly more involved totally dependent on your needs and share the direct care to the elderly with the primary caregiver. However, the expressive function suffers injury because of communication problems between them as well with family members who do not reside in the house. The results allow health professionals of the Family Health Strategy and provide a differentiated service best meets the needs of these families.