Abstract
Objective: To characterize the informal caregiver (IC) of a person with dementia (PwD) and explore the motivations of ICs to take on this care. Methods: It is a study of quantitative approach, descriptive and exploratory. The study was conducted with 90 PwD ICs, having as research scenario the Health Units in the North of Portugal. Data collection proceeded from September to November 2016 through a protocol developed for the purpose. Data were analyzed using SPSS®. This study received a positive opinion by the Ethics Committee of the Northern Regional Health Administration. Results: ICs are predominantly women (82,2%) with a mean age of 61,43 years, closely family relationship, cohabiting with PwD and providing care there 6,9 years. We found that both spouses (69,5%) and children (57.2%) took care of them for emotional reasons, but children assumed this role for a greater sense of duty and responsibility (28,5%) than the spouses (24,9%). Conclusion: Despite the demands of care for a PwD, the ICs revealed the emotional reasons, as the main motivations to assume this role, reflected in the paradox of care translated into positive experiences of care.