The aging process can be accompanied by a slight decline in cognitive functioning, and subjective memory complaints (SMC) appear to be common in the elderly population.ObjectiveTo determine whether SMC is associated with cognitive loss or depression and can predict dementia.MethodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted. Articles were selected on the following databases, LILACS, SCOPUS, SCiELO, PubMed and Web of Science from August to October 2013. Article selection was based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies published between 2010 and 2013, written in English, Spanish or Portuguese, involving populations 65 years or older, were included. Reviews were excluded.ResultsAfter the selection, a summary of the 20 articles retrieved was carried out. Of the total articles retrieved, fifteen were cross-sectional studies and five were longitudinal studies. Most of the cross-sectional studies associated SMC with depression, objective cognitive impairment and anxiety. The emergence of dementia in people with SMC was evidenced in longitudinal studies. Albeit less frequently, SMC were also associated with reduced quality of life, impairment in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), emergence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, lower hippocampal volume, amygdala volume reduction, increased activation of the left temporal, bilateral thalamus, caudate and posterior cingulate, and with the occurrence of ApoE ε4.ConclusionSMC may be associated with changes in mood and/or cognition, and its occurrence appears to increase the likelihood of dementia. In order to further our understanding of the topic, future studies should consider the recruitment of representative samples with control groups and longitudinal designs.

The task of caring for a family member with dementia is associated with caregiver physical and emotional problems. The patient's decline in health and specific needs contribute directly to this situation. Objective: To evaluate burden, stress, depression and anxiety symptoms in family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational and quantitative study was carried out. The sample consisted of 66 family caregivers of elderly with Alzheimer's disease, whom attended the Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Outpatient Clinic of the Federal University of São Carlos, in the city of São Carlos, SP, Brazil. Results: Of the caregivers evaluated in the severe AD subgroup, 47.3% had intense burden; 86, 4% exhibited significant stress levels; 57% presented severe anxiety levels and 36.9% presented mild depression symptoms. Conclusion: Caring for a family member with Alzheimer's disease generates burden, stress, anxiety and depression. Support groups comprising a multiprofessional team can be set up to assist caregivers. These actions can help caregivers cope with the daily demands and challenges and ensure better care quality in an increasingly aging population. TRANSTORNOS EMOCIONAIS EVIDENCIADOS POR CUIDADORES FAMILIARES DE IDOSOS COM DOENÇA DE ALZHEIMERRESUMO. A tarefa de cuidar de um familiar com demência está relacionada a problemas físicos e emocionais no cuidador. O declínio do paciente e suas demandas específicas contribuem diretamente para essa situação. Objetivo: Avaliar sintomas de sobrecarga, estresse, depressão e ansiedade em cuidadores familiares de idosos com doença de Alzheimer. Métodos: Estudo transversal, descritivo, correlacional e de caráter quantitativo. A amostra foi composta por 66 cuidadores familiares de idosos com doença de Alzheimer, atendidos no Ambulatório de Neurologia da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, na cidade de São Carlos, SP, Brasil. Resultados: Dos cuidadores alocados no subgrupo DA avançada, 47,3% foram avaliados com sobrecarga intensa; 86,4% apresentaram níveis de estresse significativo; 57% apresentaram níveis graves de ansiedade e 36,9% apresentaram sintomas de depressão leve. Conclusão: Cuidar de um familiar com doença crônica e degenerativa como a doença de Alzheimer gera sobrecarga, assim como estresse, ansiedade e depressão. Grupos de apoio compostos por uma equipe multiprofissional podem ser implantados no sentido de garantir o acompanhamento desses cuidadores. Tais ações podem auxiliar a lidar com as demandas e os enfrentamentos diários e ainda garantir uma melhor qualidade no cuidado prestado, considerando o avanço do envelhecimento populacional. Palavras-chave: doença de Alzheimer, idoso, cuidadores, família, demência, enfermagem geriátrica.

Background: Resilience is the ability of individuals or groups to overcome adversity without displaying physical or mental disorders, or even learning to deal with unfavorable conditions more efficiently. There have been many studies on resilience, which try to identify the conditions under which people in situations of deprivation or adversity overcome such challenges. Objective: The present article aimed to identify factors associated the with development of resilience in family caregivers of people with dementia and the possible outcomes of resilience for the caregiver and receiver of care. Method: The study consisted of a systematic literature review carried out in accordance with the PRISMA methodology with searches in the Lilacs, PsycInfo, PubMed, SciELO, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, using pre-established descriptors. Results: After synthesis of the extracted data and the considerations of this review, it was possible to identify possible factors associated with the development of resilience in family caregivers of persons with dementia: depression, anxiety, burden, drug use, the relationship with the person receiving care and health conditions are associated with the resilience of family caregivers. Conclusion: We found in literature that the development of resilience by family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's is influenced by factors related to the patient and the caregiver himself or herself.

Resiliência é uma capacidade das pessoas de enfrentar de forma positiva as adversidades. O estudo transversal, quantitativo, teve por objetivo avaliar fatores associados à resiliência em cuidador familiar de idosos com doença de Alzheimer. A amostra foi composta por 66 cuidadores de idosos, acompanhados em um ambulatório de neurologia. A maioria dos cuidadores apresentou resiliência moderada.  Análise de regressão linear mostrou que alguns fatores interferem na resiliência dos cuidadores sendo estes: sobrecarga, aumento do número de dias dedicados ao cuidado, grau de parentesco nora/genro ou cônjuge, e prática de outras atividades além do cuidado. Os achados poderão ser úteis em áreas ligadas ao cuidado, e uma vez que foram identificadas variáveis que interferem na resiliência, estas poderão ser trabalhadas e melhoradas em benefício do cuidador e do paciente.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured intervention on the frequency of self-care behaviors with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) by patients on hemodialysis. This is a quasi-experimental study with pre- and post-measurements. Participants were assigned to an intervention group (IG) ( n = 48) or to a control group (CG) ( n = 41). IG patients were subject to a structured intervention on self-care with AVF (SISC-AVF) consisting of both a theoretical and a practical part. After SISC-AVF application, patients in the IG showed better overall self-care behaviors with AVF than patients in the CG (79.2% and 91.4%, respectively, p < .001) as well as better self-care concerning both the management of signs and symptoms (90.1% and 94.4% respectively, p = .004) and the prevention of complications (72.7% and 89.5%, respectively, p < .001). The study results suggest that the SISC-AVF had positive effects on patients in the IG.