[Program for caregivers of elderly patients with dementia: experience report].

This is an experience report on the PRÓ-CUIDEM project, in meetings coordinated by nurse teachers in Niterói-RJ, Brazil. The results are focused on caregivers who need guidance, expressed during the group meetings, where their doubts are clarified, making them feel less anxious and more willing to take care of the elderly, with understanding of the elderly's health problem and, especially, to take care of their own health. One conclude that caring for the elderly with dementia is a difficult task when there is no support and guidance, being of fundamental importance the nursing care aiming to improve the caregivers' quality of life and, in consequence, the quality of life of the elderly with dementia.