Differences in social support and cognitive processing of a group of caring and careless elderly

Abstract

The task of caring can have negative effects on the mental and physical health of caregivers, as there is evidence that a decline in cognitive processing with aging can adversely affect the ability to provide care. Such negative effects can be reduced if caregivers receive social support, aiming at maintaining and promoting their physical and psychological health. This research aims to analyze the differences in social support and cognitive processing of a group of caring and non-caring elderly. It is a cross-sectional, comparative, quantitative study. The sample will be composed of a group of 41 elderly caregivers and a control group, composed of 41 elderly non-caregivers, matched by sex and age. The following instruments will be used for data collection: Sociodemographic characterization questionnaire, characterization of care and evaluation of health and care conditions, cognitive processing (P-300), Addenbrooke Cognitive Exam - Revised, Medical Outcomes Study. All ethical precepts governing human research will be observed. The project was authorized by the Municipal Health Secretary of São Carlos and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Carlos with Opinion no. 1.123.813/2015. This research may bring contributions to the planning of actions among caregivers of basic care, due to the importance of cognition and social support. (AU)