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Introduction Tunisia is knowing a significant increase of the elderly population, this phenomenon comes along with an increase of the incidence of degenerative pathologies “dependent on the age” as the Alzheimer's disease. The physical and psychic consequences of the disease and also the behavior of family members are an important determinant of quality of life and economic activities of both patients and informal caregivers. Objectives and methods Our aims are to establish characteristicsof60 informal cargivers of Alzheimer's patients followed in the department of neurology in Razi's Hospital and to estimate their socioeconomic burden through a descriptive study. Results Our sample of caregivers was predominantly female with a moderate socio-economic conditions in 36,66%. The support was provided in 2/3 of cases exclusively by the informal caregivers. 22,66% ( n = 13) of them lost their profession since the beginning of assistance's relationship. Among caregivers, 8% were forced to leave their homes to be closer to their ailing sibling. Conclusion Our results reflect the distress of informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients, the importance of their involvement and the adverse consequences on their quality of life and professional activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that can lead to poor social and professional performances. Objectives and Aims To assess the study's subjects' social and professional functioning and compare the results to those reported in the literature in order to have an idea about the efficiency of the rehabilitation methods available to the patients affected by schizophrenia in Tunisia. Methods We have evaluated the social and the professional functioning of 30 patients (20 females and males) whom have been seen in the aftercare unit between February and June 2014 using indirect indicators(marital status and employment) and the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS). Results The mean age of patients was 37.5 years. The majority of the subjects were single (80%). Three patients divorced after their first hospitalization. The majority of the patients (86%) were employed before they have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Two thirds of these subjects lost their jobs after the first hospitalization and were still unemployed when the study has been conducted. The average SOFAS score is 46 which is indicates the existence of a significant impairment in the social or the professional functioning. Conclusions Measures of rehabilitation are still insufficient. This could be explained by several factors which are related to the patients, their families, the society and the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]