Exploring the experiences of providing care at home in rural areas for a partner with moderate to severe dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

[摘要] Background: The main body of literature investigating experiences of caring for a spousewith dementia has focussed on the experiences of receiving a diagnosis and on caring inthe early stages of the disorder. The current study aimed to gain an in-depth understandingof caring for a spouse at home in rural areas with moderate to severe dementia.Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with five participants who werecaring for their partner at home in rural areas with moderate to severe dementia. Verbatimtranscripts of the interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis(IPA).Results: The analysis produced four superordinate themes; changes in the spousalrelationship, the demands of caring, managing the demands and unmet needs.Conclusion: Participants’ accounts illustrated the complexity of caring for someone withmoderate to severe dementia and the psychological and practical resources that arerequired in order to be able to continue to do so. Participants reflected on specific details oftheir romantic relationships, aspects of their situation and sources of support whichfacilitated them with the challenging task of caring.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow;Department:Institute of Health and Wellbeing

[关键词] Dementia carers, rural, severe dementia, spouse, care at home.