With advancing age, there are gradual biological, psychological and social changes. These changes can increase the likelihood of developing illnesses such as dementia. In 2013, the DSM-V defined “Major Neurocognitive Disorder” (formerly known as dementia), as a deterioration in one or more cognitive areas, with repercussions on the subject's independent functioning in their daily activities. However, the presence of dementia does not only affect those who suffer from it, but also their family caregivers who provide care for them. Dedication to the care of the person with dementia requires time and effort, factors that interfere with the quality of life of the family caregiver. The demand for care and the type of tasks to be performed can be associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress or overload, considered risk factors for abuse against elderly people with dementia. Abuse is negative actions (physical, psychological, sexual, economic or negligence) that cause damage and suffering in the other and can be avoided by the presence of protective factors, such as resilience or social support.
This seminar aims to raise awareness of the effect of protective factors on mistreatment of people with dementia.
Speaker:
Lídia Serra
Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa
Piaget Institute
References
- Dias, R., Simões-Neto, J., Santos, R., Sousa, M., Baptista, A., Lacerda, I., Kimural, N., and Dourado, M. (2016). Caregivers' resilience independent of clinical symptoms of dementia. Archives of NeuroPsychiatry, 74, 967-973. doi: 10.1590/0004-282X20160162
- Ruisoto P., Contador I., Fernández-Calvo B., Serra L., Jenaro C., Flores N., Ramos F., & Rivera-Navarro J. (2019). Mediating effect of social support on the relationship between resilience and burden in caregivers of people with dementia. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 86 (2020). 1039523. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.103952
- Serra L., Contador I., Fernández-Calvo B., Ruisoto P., Jenaro C., Flores N., Ramos F., & Rivera-Navarro J. (2018). Resilience and social support as protective factors against abuse of patients with dementia: a study on family caregivers. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatric. doi:1002/gps.4905