QUALITY OF LIFE AMONGST CARE GIVERS FOR PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease. Due to a constantly growing rate of incidence and the lowering age of PD patients it is becoming a more serious social problem. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life amongst care givers for people suffering from Parkinson's disease. The work includes research on the influence of physical rehabilitation of PD patients on the quality of life of their care givers. The research covered care givers (n=50) of PD patients diagnosed with third stage PD according to the Hoehn and Yahr classification. The diagnostics survey with a questionnaire addressed to care givers looking after PD patients was used. The questionnaire was created by the authors of this paper. The survey consisted of two parts, in which the first was to obtain basic information on the present status of the care giver, while the other was to verify life satisfaction level, using Jurczynski's Scale of Life Satisfaction. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in all analyzed statements between groups. Better effects were observed in the group participating in rehabilitation. Care for people suffering from PD affects the quality of life of caregivers. Participation in the process of rehabilitation of patients with PD improves the quality of life of caregivers.