Abstract
Aim of the study: The objective of the 1st study was to assess the degree of burden and its possible change in family caregivers of the long-term sick family member with progressive Alzheimer's disease during eight-month monitoring. Methods: In addition to the common psychiatric examination the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered in patients to indicate the severity of the dementia and the Zarit Burden Interview was administered in caregivers to assessed degree of burden.
Conclusions: Intervention and support must therefore be carefully targeted, recognising those components of a potential care package that will be useful in the particular circumstances. It is also important to promote measures to soften the impact that the patient has on the caregiver, and that, at the same time, improves the quality of life of the patient.