INSTRUMENTAL, AFFECTIVE, AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WITH ADVANCED ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to understand the instrumental, affective, and emotional learning acquired by family caregivers of elderly people with advanced Alzheimer Disease, examining daily challenges, coping strategies, and support needs. A qualitative case study was conducted with six caregivers of three elderly individuals, collecting data through semi-structured interviews and direct observation, analyzed using thematic analysis. The research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (CEP/UFSC), under opinion No. 1,450,710. The findings show that affection is based on love, emotional attachment, moral obligation, and reciprocity, and is crucial to caregiver resilience. The recontextualization of the elderly as children, the appreciation of fulfilled responsibility, and the constant development of instrumental and emotional skills were also recognized. Caregivers face considerable challenges, including neglect of self-care, physical and emotional exhaustion, the need to adjust their personal lives, and dependence on family and institutional support networks. It is concluded that it is essential to understand and support the progress of caregivers' instrumental, affective, and emotional learning to guide public policies, training programs, and support strategies, favoring more humanized and higher quality care for both the elderly and the caregiver.