OBJECTIVE: Carry out a systematic bibliographycal review about QL of the caregivers of in the elderly with AD. METHODS: A systematic bibliographical review about studies indexed on Pubmed and MedLine, from 1997 to 2008, using as key-words the terms: quality of life, caregivers, Alzheimer Disease. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 274 initial articles and 39 additional papers included in a following phase, based on bibliographical references, were evaluated. A negative impairment in QL of the caregivers of demential in the elderly has been documented in most studies. Several factors affect the caregivers' quality of life, such as severity of the patient's illness and behavior disorders of elderly. CONCLUSION: Futures studies on this theme will be necessary to look for strategies.
Quality of life; caregivers; Alzheimer disease