Compassion Fatigue in Adult Daughter Caregivers of a Parent with Dementia

Abstract

Adult daughters face distinct challenges caring for parents with dementia and may experience compassion fatigue: the combination of helplessness, hopelessness, an inability to be empathic, and a sense of isolation resulting from prolonged exposure to perceived suffering. Prior research on compassion fatigue has focused on professional healthcare providers and has overlooked filial caregivers. This study attempts to identify and explore risk factors for compassion fatigue in adult daughter caregivers and to substantiate further study of compassion fatigue in family caregivers. We used content analysis of baseline interviews with 12 adult daughter caregivers of a parent with dementia who participated in a randomized trial of homecare training. Four themes were identified in adult daughter caregiver interviews: (a) uncertainty; (b) doubt; (c) attachment; and (d) strain. Findings indicated adult daughter caregivers are at risk for compassion fatigue, supporting the need for a larger study exploring compassion fatigue in this population.

Keeping the person with dementia and the informal caregiver together: a systematic review of psychosocial interventions

“…However, some positive aspects of the relationship are reported to remain intact, such as closeness and affection (Ablitt et al, 2009). Although spouses report more relationship strain than adult children as a result of their caregiving tasks (Pinquart et al, 2011), adult children taking care of a parent with dementia also emphasize the impact of the dementia on their parental relationship and report high levels of commitment and emotional attachment in the relationship with their parent with dementia (Day et al, 2014;McDonnell et al, 2014).…”

Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Is Critical for Helping Others Who Are Suffering

“…In contrast to the behavior of the patients with damage to the vmPFC, if an individual puts too much weight on the emotional context of a situation, it could also have a negative impact on financial decisions and personal relationships. For instance, highly empathic caregivers or nurses may become too emotionally invested in their patients or loved ones which could lead to compassion fatigue and burnout ( 61 – 63 ). In future research studies, it would be useful to investigate the utility of interventions designed to help individuals strategize about making financial decisions that optimize both financial and social well-being.…”

Older adults’ influence in family care: how do daughters and aging parents navigate differences in care goals?

“…Often described as the sandwich generation, they frequently experience competing roles in caring for a parent and are at risk for compassion fatigue (Day, Anderson, & Davis, 2014;Martire, Stephens, & Townsend, 2000;Simpson & Carter, 2013). Furthermore, unique tensions between motherÀdaughter dyads around perceptions of aging and negotiating care have been documented (Fingerman, 1996;McGraw & Walker, 2004).…”