Living With Dementia: A Meta-synthesis of Qualitative Research on the Lived Experience

Abstract

Purpose of the StudyTo identify and examine the published qualitative research evidence relative to the experience of living with dementia.Design and MethodsMetasynthesis was used as the methodological framework to guide data collection and analysis.ResultsThree themes were identified. The first theme considered the main condition-related changes experienced by people with dementia (PWD) and showed how these are interlinked and impact upon various areas of people’s lives. The second theme indicated that amidst these changes, PWD strive to maintain continuity in their lives by employing various resources and coping strategies. The third theme underlined the role of contextual factors. The reviewed evidence indicates that, the emerging experience of PWD and their potential to adjust to the continuous changes is influenced by access to and quality of both personal and contextual resources which remain in a constant, transactional relationship to each other.ImplicationsThe findings were interpreted and discussed in the context of relevant theoretical frameworks and research evidence. It was considered that current evidence and findings presented in this review can be further explored and expanded upon in a more systematic way through research conducted within the theoretical framework of dynamic systems theory. Further research would be also beneficial to explore the subjective experience of dementia from a participatory perspective. Exploring the application of these theoretical standpoints would contribute to the current state of knowledge and offer both PWD and carers fresh perspective on the nature of change and potential for adaptability in dementia.

Qualitative study of loneliness in a senior housing community: the importance of wisdom and other coping strategies

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The impact of early psychosocial intervention on self‐efficacy of care recipient/carer dyads living with early‐stage dementia—A mixed‐methods study

“…There is an urgent need for useful and effective interventions to reduce the impact of dementia on people with dementia, carers, and society (Orrell et al., ). Górska, Forsyth, and Maciver () recommend greater attention is paid to the impact of self‐efficacy on adaptation in dementia, to foster a better understanding of how interventions may be enhanced. This study makes an important contribution to our understanding of self‐efficacy outcomes for dyads with early‐stage dementia while also illustrating the challenges associated with measuring self‐efficacy in the early stages of the condition.…”

Participation as means for adaptation in dementia: a conceptual model

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