Cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative-descriptive study, aimed to interpret the relationship in the caring of family caregivers and Alzheimer's elderly sufferers, grounded in the concrete dialectic of participation according to Gabriel Marcel's four precepts. The convenience sample entailed 208 family caregivers in the quantitative and 36 in the qualitative aspect. The caregivers were women (n=178, 86%), aged 22-83 years, living with the elderly (n=169, 81%), with more than eight years of formal education (n=147, 71%), not having an occupation (n=121, 58%) and with mild burden (n=96, 46.2%). The synthesis theme was The order of mystery pervaded by faith and supported by hope. The relationship between family members and Alzheimer's elderly sufferer encompasses love, faithfulness, hope and presence. Interpreting this relationship enables nurses to develop sensitivity and creativity for professional practice, taking into account the subjectivity and mystery in human relations.
Aged; Caregivers; Alzheimer Disease; Philosophy; Nursing