Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania
Abstract Background In many communities around the world, informal caregivers of older adults with dementia represent an essential, yet often underappreciated, source of long-term care. The present study aimed to determine the personal experiences of such caregivers, which could be instrumental for...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00428-w |
| _version_ | 1818963671356801024 |
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| author | Ausrine Kontrimiene Jolanta Sauseriene Aurelija Blazeviciene Gediminas Raila Lina Jaruseviciene |
| author_facet | Ausrine Kontrimiene Jolanta Sauseriene Aurelija Blazeviciene Gediminas Raila Lina Jaruseviciene |
| author_sort | Ausrine Kontrimiene |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In many communities around the world, informal caregivers of older adults with dementia represent an essential, yet often underappreciated, source of long-term care. The present study aimed to determine the personal experiences of such caregivers, which could be instrumental for developing means of improving the quality of care for both care receivers and their informal caregivers. Methods Five semi-structured focus-group discussions were held. The participants (n = 31) were all informal caregivers of older adults with dementia. The focus-group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive approach was used, and thematic data analysis was applied. Results Four thematic categories were identified: learning caregiving through personal experience; implications of caregiving on social wellbeing; caregivers’ contradictory emotions regarding care delivery; and addressing challenges regarding care provision. Conclusions This study revealed, among the informal caregivers, a variety of experiences, contradicting feelings, and problem-solving strategies relating to the care of older adults with mental disorders. Becoming an effective caregiver involves professional and psychological development. Developing caregiving skills, supportive environment and positive attitude can help facilitate providing care. Caregiving largely impacts the emotional, physical, and social wellbeing of the person; thus, comprehensive approaches are needed to prevent burnout and associated social disadvantages. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T12:48:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c7626e2d3c5547628c9fcfbe17b60d81 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-4458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T12:48:55Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7626e2d3c5547628c9fcfbe17b60d812022-12-21T19:40:14ZengBMCInternational Journal of Mental Health Systems1752-44582021-01-0115111010.1186/s13033-020-00428-wQualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in LithuaniaAusrine Kontrimiene0Jolanta Sauseriene1Aurelija Blazeviciene2Gediminas Raila3Lina Jaruseviciene4Department of Family Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS)Department of Family Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS)Department of Nursing and Care, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS)Department of Family Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS)Department of Family Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LUHS)Abstract Background In many communities around the world, informal caregivers of older adults with dementia represent an essential, yet often underappreciated, source of long-term care. The present study aimed to determine the personal experiences of such caregivers, which could be instrumental for developing means of improving the quality of care for both care receivers and their informal caregivers. Methods Five semi-structured focus-group discussions were held. The participants (n = 31) were all informal caregivers of older adults with dementia. The focus-group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive approach was used, and thematic data analysis was applied. Results Four thematic categories were identified: learning caregiving through personal experience; implications of caregiving on social wellbeing; caregivers’ contradictory emotions regarding care delivery; and addressing challenges regarding care provision. Conclusions This study revealed, among the informal caregivers, a variety of experiences, contradicting feelings, and problem-solving strategies relating to the care of older adults with mental disorders. Becoming an effective caregiver involves professional and psychological development. Developing caregiving skills, supportive environment and positive attitude can help facilitate providing care. Caregiving largely impacts the emotional, physical, and social wellbeing of the person; thus, comprehensive approaches are needed to prevent burnout and associated social disadvantages.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00428-wInformal carePatient careMental health servicesPrimary health careSocial servicesOlder adults |
| spellingShingle | Ausrine Kontrimiene Jolanta Sauseriene Aurelija Blazeviciene Gediminas Raila Lina Jaruseviciene Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania International Journal of Mental Health Systems Informal care Patient care Mental health services Primary health care Social services Older adults |
| title | Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania |
| title_full | Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania |
| title_short | Qualitative research of informal caregivers’ personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in Lithuania |
| title_sort | qualitative research of informal caregivers personal experiences caring for older adults with dementia in lithuania |
| topic | Informal care Patient care Mental health services Primary health care Social services Older adults |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-020-00428-w |
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