ARAUJO, Isabel; PAUL, Constança    MARTINS, Manuela. Caring in the deinstitutionalization paradigm of: sustaining dependent elders in the family. []. , serIII, 2, pp.45-53. ISSN 0874-0283.

This study main objectives were to describe families living with a dependent elder and to identify the social support of these families. We carried out a qualitative exploratory study using semi-structured data collection methods (development of eco-maps and genograms). We selected a sample of 108 families in a region of northern Portugal. Data collection took place from October 2007 to June 2008. The results showed that families with dependent elders are predominantly older nuclear families, with limited formal and informal support. With regard to informal sources, family relationships were the most reported, followed by neighbours and friends, while for formal sources the most mentioned were healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals: doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists and social workers.

: caregivers; family; social support; frail elderly.

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