The caregiver of elderly people with brain damage: a theoretical study

Abstract

Theoretical study on caregivers of elderly people who have brain damage. Brain damage, in general, leaves sequels on the individual that vary from imperceptible motor alterations to important neuromuscular and cognitive damage, resulting in permanent care demand, most of the time, of a member of the family. A new lifestyle is then established, which implies in the alteration of the family dynamics and in a reorganization of the family members’ roles. Those abrupt alterations that occur in the family dynamics when one of the members becomes dependent, compelling another member to assume the caregiver’s role, disarticulate the functional characters of the family and the member chosen for the caregiver’s role suffers important repercussions on the physical, socioeconomic, psychological and spiritual domains of his/her life. Then comes the importance of the team of health professionals that, besides tending to the patient, should also provide appropriate support to this caregiver, who is a fundamental piece for the success of the physical and mental rehabilitation of the elderly with brain damage.