Psychoeducational programs for relatives of patients with dementia

Abstract

In the last decade, dementia has been recognized as one of the four major medical and social problems of modern humanity. This is explained by the fact that the number of old and elderly people is steadily growing every year. This population is prone to both the development of the disease itself and to increase the duration of the disease. This contingent also has a large number of people with disabilities. A comprehensive clinical, psychopathological and psychodiagnostic examination of 97 relatives of patients with dementia (56 women and 41 men) was conducted. Against the background of the psychoeducational program in the families of patients there was a positive dynamics of family functioning — the predominance of adequate attitude of relatives to the disease. There was a high level of family support, which was characterized by a positive attitude of family members to the need and opportunity for emotional and social support of the patient, willingness to cooperate and constructively solve new problems in everyday life, recognizing the limits of their capabilities without illusions and unjustified expectations.