08.02.01. What support is available for family/unpaid carers? | Brazil

08.02.01. What support is available for family/unpaid carers? | Brazil

08 Apr 2022

Family carers of people living with dementia have access to free support services, such as carer psychosocial support meetings and training about dementia through all the four Alzheimer’s Associations affiliated to the Brazilian Federation of Alzheimer’s Associations (FEBRAZ). Such meetings also provide information and advice on legal rights. However, services tend to be provided mostly in urbanized and high-income areas (located mostly in the Southern and South-Eastern regions), meaning that people from poorer and rural areas often have limited access to support. All associations affiliated to FEBRAZ have some partnerships established with a number of other institutions, such as private hospitals (e.g., Hospital Nove de Julho in Sao Paulo), Secretariats of Health, Lions Clubs, Military Police, among others, that might provide support for carers. There is no availability of respite services or financial benefits/social (security) protection for carers in Brazil. In some cases, people living with dementia may receive disability allowance through court orders.