Memórias enclausuradas

: a institucionalização de doentes de Alzheimer em respostas sociais não específicas

Abstract

The following investigation focuses on Alzheimer's disease, homes for the elderly people and day care centers. Alzheimer's is incurable and requires a well-structured intervention to improve quality of life for the elder people who are afflicted with this disease. Through the present study, we tried to understand the importance of the physical surroundings around the elderly with Alzheimer's as a potential resource for their support. The literature review focused on aging, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, addressing issues related to its symptoms, diagnosis, stages and intervention. Another focus point was the presence of social answers to the elderly and issues related to ergonomics, the physical surroundings, as an aspect for treatment and the effects of environmental factors in Alzheimer's disease. In order to achieve that, we performed a short survey in two institutions that have a day care service and that receive elderly people with Alzheimer's disease. Interviews held with people working in these institutions have allowed us to understand that, although some formal providers are already more sensitive to the problems inherent to this disease, there are still many, who ignore the consequences of this degenerative disease. It also became quite apparent that, in the institutions that were studied, staff and care givers didn’t have enough knowledge and adequate training to enable them to understand this disease and act adequately and the institutions do not have sufficient human resources, adequate physical conditions, or develop activities specifically directed to these seniors.

Date of Award	16 Dec 2011
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	João Barreto (Supervisor)