Paola Merlo1, Maria Devita2, Alessandra Mandelli1, Maria Luisa Rusconi3, Raquel Taddeucci4, Alice Terzi1, Gianpiero Arosio1, Maria Bellati4, Maura Gavazzeni4, Sara Mondini5,6. 1. Neurological Unit, U.V.A. Centre, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Via Mauro Gavazzeni, 21, 24125, Bergamo, Italy. 2. Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, P.le S. Agostino 2, 24129, Bergamo, Italy. maria.devita@unibg.it. 3. Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, P.le S. Agostino 2, 24129, Bergamo, Italy. 4. Humanitas Foundation, Elios Project, Bergamo, Italy. 5. Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy. 6. Human Inspired Technology Research Centre, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the global quality of life of persons who suffer from it and their caregivers, because of the behavioral and psychological consequences associated with the pathology and its caring. The Alzheimer Café (AC) is one example of approach aimed to help persons and caregivers deal with their disease. AIM: This is a pilot study focusing on the efficacy of AC in relieving caregivers' and persons' burdens due to dementia. METHODS: The quality of life of both caregivers and persons who attended the AC was compared with the quality of life of those who did not. Basic and instrumental daily activities and neuropsychiatric functioning were assessed. Caregivers also answered to general well-being and caregiving burden questionnaires. The evaluation took place at the beginning of the intervention and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS: Caregivers who joined the AC with their persons with dementia showed to have significantly benefited in the daily care of persons with dementia, in terms of total well-being, vitality, and emotional burden. DISCUSSION: Although improvements were not observed in persons with dementia who attended the AC, significant benefits were reported by their caregivers, suggesting that the intervention may produce better management of social and economic problems and lead to better emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: The AC seems to help families of AD persons to better manage the disease, and also delay the institutionalization of these persons, which is certainly an ambitious goal for an incurable disorder such as Alzheimer's disease.
BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects the global quality of life of persons who suffer from it and their caregivers, because of the behavioral and psychological consequences associated with the pathology and its caring. The Alzheimer Café (AC) is one example of approach aimed to help persons and caregivers deal with their disease. AIM: This is a pilot study focusing on the efficacy of AC in relieving caregivers' and persons' burdens due to dementia. METHODS: The quality of life of both caregivers and persons who attended the AC was compared with the quality of life of those who did not. Basic and instrumental daily activities and neuropsychiatric functioning were assessed. Caregivers also answered to general well-being and caregiving burden questionnaires. The evaluation took place at the beginning of the intervention and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. RESULTS: Caregivers who joined the AC with their persons with dementia showed to have significantly benefited in the daily care of persons with dementia, in terms of total well-being, vitality, and emotional burden. DISCUSSION: Although improvements were not observed in persons with dementia who attended the AC, significant benefits were reported by their caregivers, suggesting that the intervention may produce better management of social and economic problems and lead to better emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: The AC seems to help families of ADpersons to better manage the disease, and also delay the institutionalization of these persons, which is certainly an ambitious goal for an incurable disorder such as Alzheimer's disease.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alzheimer Café; Alzheimer’s disease; Burden; Caregivers; Quality of life