Voices of Alzheimer Caregivers on Positive Aspects of Caregiving

To discover positive gains as constructed by family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer's disease. Fifty-seven Hong Kong Chinese primary caregivers provided 669 diary recordings over an 8-week period, describing daily events and experiences in which positive gains were achieved. The diaries...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Gerontologist Vol. 56; no. 3; p. 451
Main Authors: Cheng, Sheung-Tak, Mak, Emily P M, Lau, Rosanna W L, Ng, Natalie S S, Lam, Linda C W
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.06.2016
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease - nursing
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Caregivers - psychology
Dementia - nursing
Depression
Female
Hong Kong
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Qualitative Research
Stress, Psychological
Surveys and Questionnaires
Positive aspects of caregiving
Qualitative methods
Hong Kong Chinese
Alzheimer’s disease
ISSN:1758-5341, 1758-5341
Online Access:Get more information
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:To discover positive gains as constructed by family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer's disease. Fifty-seven Hong Kong Chinese primary caregivers provided 669 diary recordings over an 8-week period, describing daily events and experiences in which positive gains were achieved. The diaries were analyzed independently by two researchers using thematic analysis. Ten themes related to positive gains were identified: (a) insights about dementia and acceptance of the condition, (b) a sense of purpose and commitment to the caregiving role, (c) feelings of gratification when the care-recipient (CR) was functioning relatively well, (d) mastering skills to handle the CR, (e) increased patience and tolerance, (f) cultivating positive meanings and humor amidst difficult circumstances, (g) letting go of things, such as when the CR's qualities had been lost or personal agenda had become unrealistic, (h) developing a closer relationship with the CR, (i) finding support, and (j) feeling useful helping other caregivers. In addition to treating negative outcomes such as depression, practitioners and researchers should, identify means to promote positive gains. Strategies mentioned in the caregivers' diaries, such as reframing stressful situations in a more positive light, may provide input into the design of such interventions.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:1758-5341
1758-5341
DOI:10.1093/geront/gnu118