Improving Quality of Life in Caregivers of Alzheimer Dementia Patients- A Stepwise Approach

Caregivers’ burden could have serious impact over social and professional functioning in adult and active population. Quality of life in caregivers of Alzheimer Disease (AD) patients should be monitored as an important indicator of their well-being and functional resources. The main objective of this research is to formulate a plan for the evaluation of the quality of life in caregivers of the AD patients as a first step in the recommendation of an adequate, stratified therapeutic intervention. Regarding the research methodology, the first step consisted in a review of the most validated instruments for caregiver status evaluation - SF-36, EuroQoL, Zarit Burden Interview (BI), Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). A composite score (cs) could be calculated based on these scales, and 3 classes of quality of life impairment severity could be defined. The second step consists in recommendations regarding the monitoring of the caregivers’ status using the same instruments, and the formulation of therapeutic interventions according to the severity of quality of life impairments. It is expected that applying this algorithm would decrease the AD burden’s functional impact over caregivers, while increasing their quality of life. Learning new ways to cope with stress, a better management of their own time and engaging in changing coping methods during group therapy sessions are expected to have a significant impact over caregivers overall psychological status. In conclusion, a better care should be provided for AD patients’ caregivers, in order to increase their functionality and quality of life.