Family care giving needs of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease (A phenomenological study)

Studies of the elderly population confirms the global epidemic of Alzheimers. Iran is also faced with the wave of increasing disease. Alzheimer's is a threating situation for the family and community in different dimensions such as health, social, political, economic and psychological position. Families are forced to take care of patients and as a result faced many problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the family's life experiences of the care of elderly with Alzheimer's in Isfahan.
This study is qualitative with phenomenological description approach. The study populations are elderly patients with Alzheimer's and their families in Isfahan. Purposive sampling method was used in the study. After interviews with10 participants, Colaizzi method is used to analyze the data.
After analyzing by Colaizzi Method, at first, 201 conceptual codes extracted. Then 20 sub themes extracted. Extremely 8 main themes emerged. Sacrifice, care burden, caregiver's captive, impaired family relationship, job disturbances, fear of stigma, maintaining excellence in patient, Puzzlement at the time and reactive feelings.
According to the findings of the current study, Alzheimer's Disease will cause psychological, physical, and economic and socially complications that a lot of these complications is tolerated on family care givers. Therefore, looking for solutions such as establishing institutes for elderly support, developing courses like elderly nursing, and psychological specific education to reduce the burden on family is essential.