This study aimed at describing the features of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease and of their caregivers. It also assessed the level of dependency of the elderly patients and the overburden of caregivers. The exploratory descriptive method of the case series type was used. Thirty-six (36) pairs of elders/caregivers participated in the investigation. Results showed that elders with Alzheimer's disease were mostly female, married, 75.19 ± 6.14 years old (average age). Caregivers were female, married, mostly daughters and wives, 59.33 ± 12.29 years old (average age). The caregivers investigated presented an average burden of 34.08 ± 12.34. The burden generated by the care demanded could be lowered by the adoption of strategies and effective public policies, thus granting better quality of life to elderly patients and their caregivers.
Aging health; Geriatrics; Alzheimer's disease; Caregivers; Cost of illness
