Family Caregivers and Transition to Long-Term Care

Abstract

This study's purpose was to explore family caregivers' experiences while they waited placement of family members with dementia in long-term care and how they coped during this period of waiting and transition. In this exploratory descriptive qualitative study, interviews were conducted with 29 caregivers at entry to the placement wait-list and at 3 to 4-month intervals thereafter. Final interviews, with 15 caregivers, were conducted shortly after admission to long-term care. When "the waiting begins," the themes of crisis as initiator, synchronicity, control, and reciprocity emerged. "After placement" included the themes of deeply bonded relationships, attempting continuity, and sorting out the change. The findings provide new insight into family caregiver experiences during and after placement of a family member with dementia in long-term care. Clinicians must recognize that wherever services are provided, at home before placement or in institutions after placement, family caregivers must be incorporated as full partners in care.

Exploring the impact of music concerts in promoting well-being in dementia care

“…UK Previous studies have highlighted the difficulties often experienced by family members when parents or partners are admitted to full time care with feelings of guilt, depression, self-blame and regret often featuring in significant ways, (Arai, 2004(Arai, , 2014Chang et al, 2011;Paun and Farran, 2006;Strang et al, 2006). Keefe and Fancey (2000) reported on how family members often continued carry out caring for relatives for a significant period of time after their admission to long term care.…”

Singaporean Caregivers’ Experiences of Placing a Relative into Long Term Care

“…Findings revealed important aspects of Asian caregivers' experiences of the transition not previously reported in the literature. The current study presents a unique addition beyond the role of the dyadic relationships in motivating post-placement involvement (Strang et al, 2006). Significantly, this study indicates that filial piety is an added dimension which motivates caregiver involvement and interpretations of the experiences throughout the placement process.…”

Ektepars privatliv i demensbolig

“…Endringene er av både praktisk og følelsesmessig art (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Et gjennomgående og typisk trekk er de ambivalente følel-sene som de involverte opplever (9,(11)(12)(13). Sorgreaksjoner er også vanlig, spesielt hos ektefeller (9,13).…”

“…Privatareal er trolig viktig, fordi det kan gi pasientene bedre mulighet for å motta besøk, og omgås sine pårø-rende privat (4,20). Private arealer kan derfor spille en rolle for ektefellers mulighet til å fortsette omsorgen, slik mange ønsker (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). På den måten kan hjemliggjøringen av botilbudene for personer med demens muligens gi større muligheter for en mer relasjonsbevarende omsorg (21).…”

“…Resultatet i denne studien viser, slik andre studier også har vist (8)(9)(10)(11)(12), at mange av ektefellene har et sterkt ønske og behov for å fortsette sin omsorgsgjerning etter flytting. Det er likevel viktig å vaere klar over at det kan vaere forskjeller.…”