Search results for ‘Subject term:"alzheimers disease"’ Sort:
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A qualitative study on becoming cared for in Alzheimer's disease: the effects to women's sense of identity
- Authors:
- BORLEY Gayle, HARDY Shelia
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(10), 2017, pp.1017-1022.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: To explore the lived experience of becoming cared for and the impact this has on the identity and sense of self of women with Alzheimer's disease. Method: Eight women with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease were interviewed in Northamptonshire, England, on two separate occasions about their experiences relating to needing assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) tasks. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was the approach used to underpin this research. Results: Changes in the women's identity affected by the increased need for assistance with IADL tasks were expressed in terms of: who I am; unhappy being me; fighting to remain me; I'm not the same, but it doesn't worry me; and acceptance and contentment. Conclusion: This study offers an alternative perspective to the view that all women with Alzheimer's disease experience becoming cared for as a negative event in their lives. Some factors universally perceived as being a result of Alzheimer's disease may be a normal part of the life course. (Publisher abstract)
How does a woman with Alzheimer’s disease make sense of becoming cared for?
- Authors:
- BORLEY Gayle, SIXSMITH Judith, CHURCH Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(6), 2016, pp.1405-1421.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This case study explores the meaning one woman with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) gives to receiving assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) from her spouse. Improving the care of people living with AD is widely accepted as an important outcome in dementia services. Understanding how it feels for the person with AD to receive that care is essential to enhance their quality of life. Experiences identified using interpretative phenomenological analysis focus on a connection to past self and maintaining identity whilst also accepting change. The experience of ‘Sameness and Change’ identifies her feelings of discontinuity whilst ‘Goodness’ depicts her continued emotional expression of care presented in an attempt to remain someone of value within her family. These findings offer new insight and understanding to assist a woman’s transition from carer to becoming cared for. (Publisher abstract)