Éducation pour la santé des proches de patients atteints de la maladie d'Alzheimer

The family caregiver of an Alzheimer disease person lives a relation of assistance which includes a large number of risks. Caregivers are subjected to social denial, to deficiency in personal investments. Their burden is more subjective than objective, greatly influenced by what others (and they themselves) will think about them. These caregivers need emotional support, training and time off. Among different psychosocial interventions proposed, the most effective in terms of reducing the caregiver's burden and delaying patient institutionalization have been long-term psycho-educational group programs linked to interventions concerning the patient. Our educational therapeutic program includes 26 sessions over a 2-year period. The goal is to increase the caregiver's self-assurance, coping ability, and capacity for self-protection and stress management.