Alzheimer's disease patients: quality of life in the Republic of Croatia

The most common among dementias is Alzheimer's disease (AD). At the beginning it is controllable by medications but, as the disease advances, the patient needs a 24-hour care and very often one family member has to devote him/herself to the permanent care of the ill. AD dictates both patient's and family member's lives. The illness demands routine, patient behaviour, adjustments in living conditions as well as a lot of sacrifice. Although AD patients need adequate care in medical and social institutions, the caregiver's role is crucial. Therefore, the care for AD patients implicates the care for family members, i.e. caregivers. Such care should consist of medical care to caregivers, joint planning of the progress of illness and full daily patient care as well as legal advice. Croatia still hasn't got a fully developed care system for neither of the participants in the Alzheimer's disease (Ref. 22). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.