Family caregiver for elderly: the search for formal and informal social support - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v11i1.18854

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the search for formal and informal social support that family caregivers use as a strategy to deal with stress resulting from the care provided to dependent elderly.  Qualitative research conducted with 24 family caregivers of the elderly. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, organized and analyzed by Thematic Content Analysis of Bardin and the results were interpreted based on the concepts of the Lazarus and Folkman’s Theoretical model of stress and coping. To cope with the stress generated by taking care of a dependent elderly, the caregivers use the strategy of search for formal social support that occurs in a timely manner and is focused primarily on solving the health needs of the elderly. In its turn, the search for social support is carried out by informal conversations with family, friends and neighbors, taking turns to  give care and assistance in transporting the elderly to health services. Conclusion: Nursing is faced with the possibility of expanding his professional workspace with the families of dependent elderly and, at the same time, a great challenge, namely, re-appropriating of the care targeted to family caregivers.