Health literacy for caregivers of elders with alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Objective: To identify the level of health literacy in informal caregivers of elders with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Descriptive study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, with health literacy as a theoretical framework. Research carried out with 42 informal caregivers of elders with Alzheimer’s from a geriatrics outpatient clinic, using a questionnaire with sociodemographic data and the Health Literacy instrument. Results: The functional and conceptual levels were more prevalent, with regards to elders with Alzheimer’s, than the empowering level. Caregivers searched, evaluated, and used health information and expressed abilities to use and judge the information received. Final considerations: The predominance of categories in the cognitive level of learning indicates the need to strengthen the empowering level of these caregivers. Health literacy made it possible to reveal the demands of informal caregivers of elders with Alzheimer’s, evaluating their individual ability to offer this type of assistance. It is also a tool capable of reaching better health results.

1ª Mostra brasileira de literacia em saúde: Pistas para o SUS e as políticas públicas

“…Nesse contexto, considera-se importante estimular o diálogo entre profissionais de saúde e cuidador, pois isso permitirá a criação de um clima de confiança para expressar dúvidas, buscar informações, problematizar e refletir sobre o cuidado prestado (Queiroz, Machado, & Vieira, 2020).…”

“…É necessário que o cuidador tenha a capacidade de julgamento e tomada de decisão diante das peculiaridades apresentadas pelo idoso. Esse cuidado depende também da capacidade de avaliar e usar essas informações, além de fazer escolhas que possam reduzir riscos à saúde e promover a qualidade de vida (Queiroz, Machado, & Vieira, 2020).…”

The Experiences of Informal Caregivers of People With Dementia in Web-Based Psychoeducation Programs: Systematic Review and Metasynthesis

“…Research also shows that knowledge exchange through peer interactions can improve caregivers’ sense of self-efficacy [ 46 ] and reduce depressive symptoms [ 47 ]. In contrast, the absence of group learning and support may be associated with a low level of self-efficacy [ 48 ].…”

Test-retest reliability of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ-Br) in Brazilian carers of older people

“…Brazilian health literacy studies have been conducted with participants in the following disease areas -cardiology, infectious and oral diseases [13][14][15][16][17] . Previously, two Brazilian studies 5,18 undertook health literacy research in carers of older people, however, neither of them used the Health Literacy Questionnaire 6 . Instead they preferred using the S-TOFHLA 5 and the Canadian instrument called Health Literacy 18 .…”

“…Previously, two Brazilian studies 5,18 undertook health literacy research in carers of older people, however, neither of them used the Health Literacy Questionnaire 6 . Instead they preferred using the S-TOFHLA 5 and the Canadian instrument called Health Literacy 18 .…”