The objective of this study was to identify perceptions of family caretakers about the process of physical rehabilitation of elderly people were discharged from hospital on condition of physical dependence. This is a qualitative study, conducted from July to August 2005 in which six family caretakers were interviewed in their own homes, a month after hospital discharge of the elderly. By means of transcription and thematic analysis five themes emerged, highlighting: popular concept of rehabilitation, the process of functional disability, the main resources used and the motivation of the elderly and the caretaker. We found that these family caretakers perceive the physical recovery in a combined way with the care, since their actions are held for the full recovery of the elderly.
Elder; Family; Activities of daily living; Rehabilitation; Caretaker
