Occupational therapists' perceptions of intervention with caregivers of older people with Alzheimer's disease: a qualitative analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational therapists play a crucial role in dementia care, which includes working with older adults, intervening in the environment, and providing support to caregivers. However, there are few studies in the field specifically focused on caregiver support. Objective: To analyze the perception of occupational therapists regarding the interventions carried out with caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer's disease living in the community, as well as the main difficulties encountered in this process. Method: This is a cross-sectional qualitative study, conducted in two stages, with 31 occupational therapists from different regions of the country. In stage 1, an online questionnaire was applied to collect sociodemographic and professional data, as well as information about interventions with caregivers. In the second stage, seven participants from the initial phase were subdivided into two focus groups to deepen the understanding of the interventions. Data analysis combined frequencies with inductive analysis. Results: The participants, professionals who had graduated on average 17 years ago, developed comprehensive interventions to reduce the impact of physical, psycho-emotional, and social demands on caregivers’ occupational areas. However, the interventions were influenced by factors such as family conflicts, high caregiver turnover, limited knowledge about the disease, and caregivers’ financial difficulties. Conclusion: The intervention proves relevant in promoting caregivers’ well-being and, consequently, the quality of care provided to older adults with dementia. Therefore, it is necessary to increase recognition of the importance of specific care for caregivers and to develop strategies to expand interventions and overcome the difficulties in their implementation.