Alba Moscato

Satisfaction and difficulties of French professional home caregivers in supporting older people with Alzheimer's disease or alcohol misuse

In France, few studies have examined home care when it comes to ageing support and even fewer have considered alcohol misuse in this context. The studies also show that being old and having alcohol use disorders are two unfavourable conditions for receiving help, whereas for the Alzheimers disease, there is a clear need for optimal care. In this article, we study professional home caregivers perceptions of their job along with their difficulties and satisfactions in supporting older people with Alzheimers disease or alcohol misuse. Out of the 23 professionals approached, 17 took part in a research interview from October 2013 to January 2014. All interviews were recorded, fully transcribed and lexically analysed with Alceste® software. Among the five classes that were identified from 63% of the initial data, the main themes that emerged illustrate the nature of the associated pathologies, the perceptions and satisfactions related to the profession, their adaptive skills, the difficulties related to the life context of the older person, and the wine consumption of the latter. The lexical discourse analysis shows that the professional home caregivers are involved in looking after not only people with Alzheimers disease but also those with alcohol misuse. However, despite the difficulties and satisfactions encountered, adaptation to the older people seems to be their priority and one of the many skills that they have acquired during their professionalisation. Most of the older people who are helped are women and the difficulties mentioned by their caregivers usually arise at the time of their death. Lastly, when caring for alcohol misusers, they describe negative attitudes in their support. Although research in this area is rare while home care for the older person, whatever the pathology, is increasing, professionals need to be supported by the associations or companies that employ them and should be trained to help them provide the appropriate care.

Femmes âgées et alcool

It is important to understand the reasons for alcohol abuse in elderly people and in particular women. Psychological suffering must be envisaged. This behaviour can be considered as a necessary narcissistic retreat when ageing. The mental health of these women should be taken into account when providing them with help when they want it. This involves understanding them and supporting them as they adjust to the passage of time.

Les aidantes professionnelles à domicile dans l'accompagnement de personnes âgées atteintes de la maladie d'Alzheimer ou présentant des conduites d'alcoolisation : évaluation qualitative et réflexions cliniques.

In France, few studies have investigated the experience of home caregivers with elderly people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or alcoholic behavior. The aim of this study was to describe caregivers’ understanding of these disorders to identify their difficulties and satisfactions in relation to their role. Seventeen social care workers were interviewed and the content was analysed using a general inductive approach. Regarding misuse or abuse of alcohol, they expressed a feeling of helplessness, and put forth their experience and skills to communicate with the receiver of care. Concerning Alzheimer’s disease, they expressed worries regarding its progression They identified themselves with the elder’s anxiety, which induced fears regarding their own old age. All of them were satisfied by the care they provided and by the possibility of acquiring experience. Results could be of use in supporting clinical preventive actions for professional home caregivers dealing with these two disorders that can occur in the course of the ageing process.