Family functioning and caregiver burden in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Changes in morbidity and the lengthening of life expectancy have encouraged an increasing interest in the treatment of chronic medical conditions and in those diseases whose typical onset happens in late adulthood. Alzheimer’s is probably one of the most relevant, in terms of complexity of treatment and of costs for health care systems. Several studies highlight how the effects of this neurological disease weigh down patients, caregivers, families and society, and probably more complex options of treatment have to be arranged in order to prevent the negative outcomes that are indirectly but strictly related to the disease. In this respect, it is suggested to pay special attention to the consequences on caregivers’ health due to their intense and prolonged assistance. Given that most caregivers are relatives of patients affected by Alzheimer’s, their burden of care should be properly contextualised in the relational context in which it takes place. Theoretical and clinical models of family functioning might shed light on those dysfunctional interactions and reactions to illness which could escalate the psychological distress of caregivers and other family members. Such an understanding might also have tangible consequences on treatment options, where the involvement of family members in psychological and medical treatment could be beneficial for reducing family distress and caregiver burden.