Family Perceptions of Living with Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the major themes that 38 multigenerational families emphasized in their conversations about living with Alzheimer's disease. Interviews were conducted with families that were providing home care in the early stages of the disease. Family perceptions were analyzed with the aid of a computer content analysis program. Families emphasized four themes: (a) the awareness that something was "wrong"; (b) the uncertain nature of the diagnosis; (c) excluding a family member; and (d) the ambiguous nature of family life with Alzheimer's disease.

Proceedings of the 2001 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

“…/-Icuristic e-scores suggest the overall character of ideas that are emphasized in the text (McTavish & Pirro, 1990;Garwick, Detzner, & Boss, 1994). The top ten e-scores suggested visitor meanings and their on-site experiences.…”

Effective behavioral interventions for decreasing dementia-related challenging behavior in nursing homes

“…Cohen-Mans®eld and Werner (1998) conducted a methodologically solid study of the eects of environmental manipulation, but applied this intervention to all participants without consideration of individual dierences. Although Goldsmith et al (1995) and Okawa et al (1991) provided evidence that systemic interventions such as increased social interaction between residents and sta could decrease resident wandering, the sta training procedures were not adequately described in these studies, rendering it dicult for other researchers to replicate the intervention.…”

“…Goldsmith et al (1995) found that increasing the amount of time sta spend interacting with residents reduces wandering behavior. Similarly, Okawa et al (1991) have shown that increasing social interaction with nurses is eective in reducing wandering in 30% of dementia patients showing these problems.…”

“…It is considered intrinsically reinforcing for residents, however, because it provides both stimulation and exercise (Cohen-Mans®eld et al, 1990a;CohenMans®eld and Werner, 1998). Three individual dierence factors are associated with wandering behavior: stress and coping patterns, previous work roles and tendencies towards greater aliation (ie seeking familiar places and people to provide security; Goldsmith et al, 1995).…”

“…Community-caregiver stress may exacerbate con¯ictual family relationships (Davis, 1997;Garwick et al, 1994;Semple, 1992), with the well-being of adult child caregivers more negatively aected by caregiving than that of spousal caregivers (Fisher and Lieberman, 1994;Burgio et al, 1996a). Finally, the behavior problems exhibited by community-dwelling care recipients may result in institutionalization (Aneshensel et al, 1993;O'Donnell et al, 1992).…”