Choroba Alzheimera jako czynnik modyfikujący funkcjonowanie rodzin

The progressive process of ageing of contemporary societies and the increase in life expectancy related to the process result in a steady rise in the number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s. The disease is becoming a serious problem for a growing number of families who need to provide constant, long-term care for Alzheimer’s patients. The article presents the results of a research conducted among the participants of support groups for Alzheimer’s families. The purpose of the research was to grasp the way in which the presence of an Alzheimer’s patient in a family influences interactions, family relations and functioning of the family. The conclusions presented in the article are related to such problems as a sense of moral duty to provide the patient with care, changes in the structure of a family caused by Alzheimer’s disease, relations between the patient and their main caregiver, problems of acting as a caregiver, the influence of Alzheimer’s disease on family relations and bonds.