Family Caregivers of Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases: Life Challenge

Mini Review

J Fam Med. 2015;2(4): 1032.

Family Caregivers of Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases: Life Challenge

Salvatore R, Cianciulli A, Calvello R and Panaro MA*

Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, via Orabona, Bari, Italy

*Corresponding author: Maria Antonietta Panaro, Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, Italy

Received: April 27, 2015; Accepted: June 08, 2015; Published: June 10, 2015

Abstract

Aging is a continuous process from birth to death, which encompasses physical, social, psychological and spiritual changes. Therefore aging reflects all the changes that occur over the course of life. Often aging can be complicated when it is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, one of the plagues of our century. In this mini review we make an in-depth assessment of the impact of the disease on the everyday life of patients and caregivers, including the psychological and social barriers they have to face, and the economic burden on both family and society.

Keywords: Caregivers; Aging; Neurodegenerative diseases

Introduction

Population aging is prevalent worldwide, and the number of older adults is increasing at an accelerating rate. It is estimated that by 2050, in many nations at least 20% of the national population will be aged = 60 years [1]. Of note, the most substantial increase has been observed in the most elderly group (aged > 85 y). Population aging occurs at various rates in different geographic regions. Although at present Europe contains the most aged population, it is anticipated that by 2050, Asia, South America, and Africa will experience the most rapid rates of increase of population aging. These demographic changes are exerting substantial and growing pressure on health care in many countries worldwide [2].

We hope we will be vigorous right up until the very end, and we are constantly seeking an ‘anti-aging elixir’, e.g. immortality pills, or creams that will help to revive our youthful vigour and appearance, but aging still goes on relentlessly, day after day, and affects the cells of each organ in the body. Aging is a continuous process from birth to death, which encompasses physical, social, psychological and spiritual changes. It is characterized by a progressive deterioration of bodily functions with increasing risk of failure over time [3]. Therefore aging reflects all the changes that occur over the course of life.

This time-dependent phenomenon results from the accumulation of damage during life, and many studies have improved our understanding of the possible causes of this damage, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Today it is well known that the entire process is hierarchically organized, beginning from intracellular events and followed by changes at cellular, systemic, and ultimately organism levels. The intracellular and cellular events that contribute to aging include genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication [4]. The consequent damage can alter cell populations or function, thereby leading to a dysfunction of physiological systems.

Aging can be complicated when it is associated with neurodegenerative diseases, one of the plagues of our century. Since, the increase of the elderly population is a virtually worldwide phenomenon, the incidence of age-related neurological pathologies such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is posing a growing, significant medical and economic problem [5, 6]. Aging manifestations are described and listed in Table 1.

Citation:Salvatore R, Cianciulli A, Calvello R and Panaro MA. Family Caregivers of Patients with Neurodegenerative Diseases: Life Challenge. J Fam Med. 2015;2(4): 1032. ISSN : 2380-0658