Complex educational and care (geron)technology for elderly individuals/families experiencing Alzheimer's disease

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Alzheimer's Disease Research
• Caregiver Support

Background:

• Alzheimer's disease (AD) significantly impacts elderly individuals and their families.
• Caregivers often face substantial educational and emotional challenges.
• Multidisciplinary support is crucial for effective AD management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the contributions of an Integrated Multidisciplinary Care Group for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
• To explore the group's role as an educational and care (geron)technology.
• To understand the caregiver's perspective on the group's benefits.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study.
• Involved 13 family members/caregivers of elderly individuals with AD.
• Data collected via semi-structured interviews (January-April 2016) and analyzed using discursive textual analysis.

Main Results:

• Caregivers identified education and enhanced care as key group contributions.
• The group facilitated education for present care and future planning.
• Knowledge exchange, socialization, and collective learning were significant benefits.

Conclusions:

• The Integrated Multidisciplinary Care Group functions as a valuable (geron)technology for care and education.
• It fosters knowledge construction and practical application, aiding caregivers in managing AD-related challenges.
• The group demonstrably improves the quality of care for elderly individuals with Alzheimer's disease.