Browsing by Author "Reis, Alcinda"
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- Application of a Telephone Program for Informal Caregivers of Patients with Bipolar DiseasePublication . Afonso, Catarina Inês Costa; Madeira, Ana Spínola; Reis, Alcinda; Gomes, JoãoBackground/Objectives: Family caregivers of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) experience substantial burden, yet scalable caregiver-focused supports are scarce. This pilot study tested a nurse-led telephone program to evaluate feasibility and acceptability and to explore perceived impacts on caregiver burden, coping, and well-being. Methods: A descriptive pilot case study was conducted in an adult psychiatric inpatient unit in Portugal. Six informal caregivers of inpatients with BD completed a structured six-call protocol over approximately 6–8 weeks. Results: Overall, 6 caregivers completed the full cycle, totaling 36 sessions (6 assessment, 18 psychoeducational, 6 psychosocial, and 6 evaluation sessions). Thematic analysis identified four recurrent themes: (1) embracing the caregiver role—recognizing personal needs and legitimizing help-seeking; (2) patience and understanding—adopting emotion-regulation strategies; (3) self-reflection on personal strengths—increased self-efficacy and acknowledgment of persistence, empathy, and resilience; and (4) fostering hope and resilience—expressing future-oriented goals consolidated in a personalized “hope kit.” Conclusions: A brief, protocolized, nurse-delivered telephone program for caregivers of inpatients with BD was both feasible and acceptable, producing meaningful qualitative benefits consistent with the aims of psychoeducation (knowledge acquisition, coping, and emotional regulation). Findings support the use of telephone support as a pragmatic complement to standard BD care and justify larger controlled studies to quantify effects on caregiver burden, mood, and resilience, and to compare telephone, in-person, and blended delivery models.
- Curae de Mim (Care for Me): A Personalized Alzheimer’s Care Nursing Intervention for Informal CaregiversPublication . Afonso, Catarina Inês Costa; Madeira, Ana Spínola; Reis, Alcinda; Gomes, JoãoBackground: Informal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease often experience high levels of emotional, physical, and psychological burden. Personalized nursing interventions are essential to support these caregivers and promote their well-being. Objectives: The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate a personalized psychoeducational intervention—Curae de Mim (Care for Me)—designed to reduce caregivers’ burden and enhance the emotional resilience among informal caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with 14 informal caregivers in a Portuguese community healthcare setting. The intervention consisted of six weekly group sessions guided by a mental health nurse, using cognitive–behavioral and recovery-oriented approaches. Results: After the intervention, the caregivers’ burden scores decreased significantly. The mean burden score dropped from 78 to 50. The thematic analysis revealed two key outcomes: emotional empowerment through peer interactions and reframing of the caregiver’s role through knowledge and self-care. Conclusions: This program proved effective in reducing caregivers’ burden and promoting adaptive coping. The integration of narrative reflection and specialized nursing care contributed to improved mental health outcomes.