THE NURSING CARE TO ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF THE PERIOD 2005-2013

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to identify the main approaches to nursing care for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers by examining articles published in journals of health in the period between 2005 and 2013. Methodology: The study was conducted involving a descriptive literature review using an integrative methodology to collect and analyse data. The reviewed articles met the following criteria: it had to be indexed in databases such as Scielo, Lilacs, and Google Scholar; it had to be published between the period from 2005 to 2013; and it had to be written in Portuguese language. Results: The following categories were identified in the articles: impacts on the life of informal caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s; the importance of systematisation of nursing care for patients with Alzheimer’s; how the nursing care can contribute to caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s; and aspects directly related to nursing to be implemented to Alzheimer’s patients. Conclusion: Considering these scientific studies, it was concluded that the disease affects not only the patient but also the caregiver’s health, causing emotional and structural changes in their lives. Therefore, the study indicates the necessity of a wider coverage of the nursing care of Alzheimer’s patients which must include their caregivers, mainly informal, in a systematic way, not only through social welfare actions, but also educational, which requires the preparation of nursing professionals in order to achieve its full implementation.