Impact of Formal Home Help on Quality of Life for Caregivers of Elderly Patients With Neurocognitive Impairment

Impact of Formal Home Help on Quality of Life for Caregivers of Elderly Patients With Neurocognitive Impairment: a Prospective Monocenter Study

The purpose of this prospective monocenter observational study is to assess the impact of the first introduction of formal home help (personalized autonomy allowance for seniors) on the quality of life of home caregivers of elderly patients with neurocognitive impairment.

An aging population is leading to an increase in neurodegenerative disorders that are responsible for loss of autonomy. In order to keep patients with neurocognitive impairment at home, the availability of home caregivers is essential. The neurocognitive deterioration of elderly patients is a significant burden for home caregivers and can affect their quality of life. The implementation of formal home help (personalized autonomy allowance for seniors) can relieve home caregivers and improve their quality of life.

Conduct of research:

Elderly patients followed in the geriatric department of the Mulhouse French hospital, and for whom a formal home help (personalized autonomy allowance for seniors) is initiated will be recruited. The evolution of home caregiver's quality of life, burden and vulnerability, will be assessed during three months.

Inclusion criteria:

• Patient 60 years of age or older
• Diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders
• MMSE score less than or equal to 26
• GIR score inferior or equal to 4
• Introduction of formal home help (personalized autonomy allowance for seniors program)
• Patient living in Haut-Rhin department (France)
• Patient receiving regular informal help at home (at least once a week)
• Availability of the current home helper to participate in the sudy
• Non-opposition to participation in the study

Exclusion criteria:

• Introduction of formal home care not related to the personalized autonomy allowance program
• Patient under legal protection