Annual of social work, Vol. 23 No. 3, 2016.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.3935/ljsr.v23i3.129
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL WORK
Silvia Rusac
orcid.org/0000-0002-6953-9624
; Department of Social Work, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
With the aging of the population, there is also an increasing number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, which makes up 2/3 of all types of dementia. This serious, progressive and, so far, incurable disease is manifested by the loss of cognitive and emotional abilities, loss of memory, and inability to live independently, which requires continuing care for the sick person. The role of social services and social workers is becoming very important, mainly in helping caregivers and sick persons during all stages of the disease, but also after the death of the sick person in the form of providing support to the family. Caregivers face various problems, including lack of financial resources and support from the community. Because of its
specific characteristics and an increasing number of affected people, all forms and stages of dementia represent a problem of public health and a challenge for the society as a whole, and also for the profession of social work. The role of social workers in caring for the sick includes giving comfort and providing therapeutic and training services to people suffering from dementia, their family members and other caregivers.
Keywords
Alzheimer’s disease; stages of the disease; social work interventions
Hrčak ID:
177448
URI
Publication date:
15.3.2017.
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