Die sielkundige behoeftes van die versorgers van pasiënte met Alzheimer se siekte

English: The aim of this study was to investigate the needs experienced by the primary caregivers of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease from a fortological perspective. Both children and spouses as caregivers were included in this study. An additional aim was to develop guidelines from the results of this study in order to help caregivers, who often seem to bear the brunt of the negative consequences of the care giving situation. A literature review was done of publications pertaining to the particular needs experienced by these caregivers, as well as the stress they typically experience and their resultant psychological vulnerability. Specific attention was also given to those factors showing a positive relationship with the continuation of the caregiver's psychological and physical wellbeing. Identification of these factors could eventually contribute to the formulation of guidelines for a program for caregivers and thus help them to maintain their levels of psychological wellbeing. This survey was of a binary nature, as both quantitative and qualitative means of data analysis were employed. Eight females, each identified as a regular attendant of a monthly Alzheimer's disease focus group, were included in this project. For completion of the quantitative part of this study, it was expected of each of the participants to complete five questionnaires. The General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979) was used to determine the participants' general levels of physical and psychological health. The Burden Interview of Zarit, Reever and Bach- Peterson (1980) was used to determine the amount of 'caregiver-burden' they experienced. Their level of satisfaction with life was determined with the Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener, Emmonds, Larsen & Griffin, 1985). The Fortitude Questionnaire (Pretorius, 1998) and the Sense of Coherence Scale (Antonovsky, 1987) were utilised to provide an estimation of the extent to which salutogenic and fortogenie factors were employed as a means of handling daily stressors. In the qualitative section of this study (which represents the focus of this research), material from the monthly group discussions, individual interviews with the eight subjects and diaries (two subjects) were used. The ecosystemic model by Bronfenbrenner (1980) and the time and space model of Heyns (1991) were used during the analysis of this data. Attention was thus given to every aspect of caregiver functioning. In this study, confirmation was found for the existence of the majority of stressors already identified in earlier research. A substantial overlapping between these findings and that of a large project conducted in Europe in which the same measuring devices were used was found (Schneider, Murray, Banerjee & Mann, 1999). A number of factors were identified as playing an important role in determining the dynamics of the care giving process. Included here were the understanding of the complicated bereavement process these individuals have to contend with, and the very important role of individual and group counselling in helping them. Religion, as well as social and specialised support, was also identified as factors affecting the physical, spiritual and psychological wellbeing of the individual caregiver. These factors should be employed in the construction of any support program for the care givers of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.