Mohamed Aly Pasha 1769-1849
“ The Burden of Dementia in an Extended Family Social Network - a Historical Perspective Nasser Loza & Waleed Fawzi Istanbul October 2005
The Middle East General considerations • Religious & moral culture • Belief in life after death • Historical records • Migration and wars
Ramses Ramses llll Died Died 96 96years yearsold old Reigned Reigned 65 65years years 200 200wives, wives,156 156children, children, (96 (96sons sons60 60daughters daughters))
Pharaonic civilisation Djedi, a magician is congratulated by the pharaoh's son on reaching the age of 110 years : “Your condition is like that of a man who has not yet reached old age… who sleeps until the morning, who is immune from illness, without the slightest cough…”
Judaism “Show you fear from God by standing up in the presence of elderly people and showing respect for the aged. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:32
Islamic Civilisation Ibn Masud said, “I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) which deed is the most beloved to Allah?” He said: “The prayer at its proper time.” I said: “What next?” He said: “Filial piety to the parents.” I said: “What next?” He said: “The Holy Jihad for Allah’s sake.” (Al-Bukhari,Muslim)
Islamic Civilisation Abdullah bin Amr bin Al Aas related that the Messenger (pbuh) said: “Major sins are: To worship a partner with Allah, to disobey the parents, to kill the soul and to take a false oath.” (Al-Bukhari)
Overview • Traditional structure of ME families • Factors causing transition • Care needs for dementia sufferers • Patterns of provision of care
Family Structure The elderly population in Egypt 14.103
140 9.814
120 6.557
100 millions
80
4.462 3.242
60+ Total
60 40 20 0 1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
Family Structure • Number of children (Contraception) • Extended • Polygamy • Daughters in law
Who Cares? 35% Alone
30% 25%
Spouse only
20%
Spouse & married children Married children
15% 10%
Unmarried children
5% Relatives
0% Living Arrangements
• Community sample of 461 elderly Egyptians approached in street interviews and OP clinics. WHO study ( Sadek et al 2002)
Female role • Education • Employment
Factors causing transition • Increased longevity • A shift towards nuclear family • Migration
Factors causing transition Egyptians > 60 years 16 14 12 10 millions
8 6 4 2 0 1990
2000
2010
2020
2030
Factors causing transition Egyptians > 80 years 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 millions 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 2000
2010
2020
2030
Factors causing transition Migration External Migration – Middle East – West
Factors causing transition Rural to Urban population in Egypt 1950
2000
% rural % Urban 43%
44%
57%
56%
2025
29%
71%
Factors causing transition Migration
Rural to urban distribution in 1986: 56.1 / 43.9 vs 59 / 41 for the elderly
Systems of care • Care in the community • Day Centres and Day Hospitals • Residential Homes • Nursing Homes • Care for Dementia patients with behavioural disturbances
Care needs for dementia sufferers • Assistance with activities of daily living • Social and psychological support • Economic factors
Homes for the elderly in Egypt (2000) • Cairo: 36 accommodating
1980 residents
• Giza 5 accommodating
183 residents
• Alexandria 13 accommodating
994 residents
• Rest of the country 27 accommodating
700 residents
• Total Beds for healthy elderly in Egypt 3857 residents
• Leaving 4 458 882 estimated elderly cared for in the community in 2000
• Leaving 14 099 743 estimated elderly cared for in the community in 2030
Caregiver Burden for Dementia Study on 40 carers (1999) shows Females are the primary caretakers Most frequent problems are
Exhaustion due to increased patients’ requirements Insufficient time to care for children Late for work Decreased social interactions with family and friends Fear of inheriting the disorder Increased financial burden
Hassan M, (1999). Assessment of Psychological stress facing family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia, (M. Sc. Thesis).
Caregiver burden in Egypt Abido AM, Ashour AM, Assad T, El Nahas G. (2000). Stress of geriatric patient caregivers, M.Sc. Thesis
• 30 psychiatric outpatients with care giving related problems in Cairo (Matareya Hospital) • Assessed using – Psychiatric and medical history for patients – Assessment of financial situation – The burden Interview (Zarit, 1985)
• 5 cases suffering from dementia with behavioural symptoms • 5 cases assessed qualitatively for medical social psychological and economical stresses and followed up after provision of support
Findings Abido et al. 2000
• 1 carer in 70% of cases • 2 carers or more 30% • 43% working full time and 57% housewives
Findings Abido et al. 2000
Patient related factors increasing caregiver stress • Behavioural symptoms in dementia • ADL abilities • Sleep disturbance • Incontinence
Findings Abido et al. 2000 Carer related factors • Gender • Occupation • Economic status • Support from other family members
Findings Abido et al. 2000
• Carers received very limited support in the community and provision Councelling and education regarding coping techniques reduced caregiver burden substantially
Discussion Building on local traditions and values Vs. Adapting international approaches to caring for the elderly
Discussion Implications for services & research: • Adopting local practices • Translation & Validation of international questionnaires • Developing local tools
Mohamed Aly Pasha 1769-1849