Rodriguez G, De Leo C, Girtler N, Vitali P, Grossi E, Nobili F
Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 6, I-16132 Genoa, Italy.
Neurol Sci. 2003 Dec;24(5):329-35. doi: 10.1007/s10072-003-0184-1.
A survey in the cities of Genoa and Savona (Italy) was performed to examine stress levels in caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease in the context of a project of the Italian Ministry of Health named Cronos. It offered free anticholinesterase inhibitor therapy to patients who addressed dedicated Neurological Units; in this occasion caregivers could be invited to express the main difficulties encountered in managing demented people during an interview conducted by health personnel of the Neurophysiology Service. Caregivers were mainly women, daughters or spouses, with a medium educational level, retired, housekeepers, employees or teachers; they claimed a lowering of economic standard of living of the family owing to extra expenses for assistance. Satisfaction was expressed towards specialists, while support by general practitioners and other sanitary services was usually lacking and money contribution from the government or territorial services was considered inadequate. From the emotional point of view, caregivers claim loss of free time, friendships and hobbies, and feel isolated in the social context; sometimes the patient's death is thought of as a solution. A strong need for information and support is clearly emerging and any further interventions should take these requirements into consideration.
在意大利热那亚和萨沃纳两市开展了一项调查，以在意大利卫生部名为“克洛诺斯”的项目背景下，研究阿尔茨海默病患者照料者的压力水平。该项目为前往专门神经科就诊的患者提供免费抗胆碱酯酶抑制剂治疗；在此期间，照料者可能会被邀请在神经生理学服务部门的卫生人员进行的访谈中，表达在照料痴呆患者过程中遇到的主要困难。照料者主要是女性，为女儿或配偶，中等教育水平，已退休，家庭主妇、雇员或教师；她们称由于照料产生的额外费用，家庭经济生活水平下降。她们对专科医生表示满意，而通常缺乏全科医生和其他卫生服务的支持，并且认为政府或地区服务的资金投入不足。从情感角度看，照料者称失去了自由时间、友谊和爱好，在社会环境中感到孤立；有时会认为患者死亡是一种解脱。显然出现了对信息和支持的强烈需求，任何进一步的干预措施都应考虑这些需求。
