Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study
Abstract Objective Although knowledge about the experience of being diagnosed with dementia is limited, with the expected rise in dementia’s prevalence in the coming decades, such knowledge is pivotal for the people diagnosed, their families, and healthcare planners. Thus, the aim of our study was t...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04665-3 |
| _version_ | 1797273320114094080 |
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| author | Inger Molvik Grete Kjelvik Geir Selbæk Anne Marie Mork Rokstad |
| author_facet | Inger Molvik Grete Kjelvik Geir Selbæk Anne Marie Mork Rokstad |
| author_sort | Inger Molvik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective Although knowledge about the experience of being diagnosed with dementia is limited, with the expected rise in dementia’s prevalence in the coming decades, such knowledge is pivotal for the people diagnosed, their families, and healthcare planners. Thus, the aim of our study was to explore the experience of living with cognitive impairment and dementia and the impact of being diagnosed with dementia. Method A qualitative design was applied. Participants were recruited based on age-adjusted values below threshold values on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (i.e. 70–79 years, < 22; 80–89 years, < 21; 90 + years, < 20), and the sample ultimately included 15 participants: six with and nine without a documented dementia diagnosis. Qualitative content analysis was performed on the transcribed interviews in four steps to identify codes, categories, and the overall theme. Results Three major categories emerged from the interviews: (1) experiences with changes, (2) experiences with being diagnosed with dementia, and (3) existential experience. All participants with and most participants without a dementia diagnosis experienced changes in cognition. Conclusion Our findings imply that being diagnosed with dementia is a relief because it explains observed cognitive and functional decreases and reduces confusion, shame and stigma. However, it also raises concerns about an unknown future. Most participants not diagnosed with dementia reported having little or no difficulty with everyday living and leading a fulfilling life. Those findings emphasise the significance of timely versus early diagnosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:42:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7187aad3e9f04759a8414fe150794adc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:42:43Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-7187aad3e9f04759a8414fe150794adc2024-03-05T20:12:04ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182024-02-012411910.1186/s12877-024-04665-3Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative studyInger Molvik0Grete Kjelvik1Geir Selbæk2Anne Marie Mork Rokstad3The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital TrustThe Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital TrustThe Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital TrustThe Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital TrustAbstract Objective Although knowledge about the experience of being diagnosed with dementia is limited, with the expected rise in dementia’s prevalence in the coming decades, such knowledge is pivotal for the people diagnosed, their families, and healthcare planners. Thus, the aim of our study was to explore the experience of living with cognitive impairment and dementia and the impact of being diagnosed with dementia. Method A qualitative design was applied. Participants were recruited based on age-adjusted values below threshold values on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (i.e. 70–79 years, < 22; 80–89 years, < 21; 90 + years, < 20), and the sample ultimately included 15 participants: six with and nine without a documented dementia diagnosis. Qualitative content analysis was performed on the transcribed interviews in four steps to identify codes, categories, and the overall theme. Results Three major categories emerged from the interviews: (1) experiences with changes, (2) experiences with being diagnosed with dementia, and (3) existential experience. All participants with and most participants without a dementia diagnosis experienced changes in cognition. Conclusion Our findings imply that being diagnosed with dementia is a relief because it explains observed cognitive and functional decreases and reduces confusion, shame and stigma. However, it also raises concerns about an unknown future. Most participants not diagnosed with dementia reported having little or no difficulty with everyday living and leading a fulfilling life. Those findings emphasise the significance of timely versus early diagnosis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04665-3Cognitive impairmentExperienceOlder adultsDementia diagnosisTimely diagnosisQualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Inger Molvik Grete Kjelvik Geir Selbæk Anne Marie Mork Rokstad Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study BMC Geriatrics Cognitive impairment Experience Older adults Dementia diagnosis Timely diagnosis Qualitative study |
| title | Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study |
| title_full | Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study |
| title_short | Exploring the lived experience: impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment - a qualitative study |
| title_sort | exploring the lived experience impact of dementia diagnosis on individuals with cognitive impairment a qualitative study |
| topic | Cognitive impairment Experience Older adults Dementia diagnosis Timely diagnosis Qualitative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04665-3 |
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