Condições de saúde do cuidador familiar do idoso dependente

Abstract

The experience of the family caregiver of the dependent elderly person leads to important reflections on the strategies for their own health care. The objective was to identify the aspects related to the health conditions of the family caregiver of dependent elderly people at home and the implications for self care. A descriptive, qualitative study was carried out in the homes of 10 elderly´s caregivers, in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, from June to August 2019. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and organized, based on content analysis in the thematic modality. The 10 caregivers were sons, daughters and wife of the elderly, nine of whom were female, aged from 35 to 72 years old. Among the participants, four were from Fortaleza and six from other cities in the state of Ceará. The health conditions of the caregiver have limitations and the delay in self care is common in all, since the dependence of the elderly makes it difficult for the caregiver to regularly monitor his(her) own health. It was concluded that the work overload, the caregiver's advanced age and the lack of physical and emotional support can be the main causes of problems in the caregiver's health conditions.