Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Social interactions are important for people living with dementia in a nursing home. However, not much is known about interactions and relationships between residents and family caregivers and related experiences of family caregivers. We aim to advance the knowledge on how family...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02922-x |
| _version_ | 1818321292470779904 |
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| author | Charlotte T. M. van Corven Annemiek Bielderman Peter L. B. J. Lucassen Hilde Verbeek Ivonne Lesman-Leegte Marja F. I. A. Depla Annerieke Stoop Maud J. L. Graff Debby L. Gerritsen |
| author_facet | Charlotte T. M. van Corven Annemiek Bielderman Peter L. B. J. Lucassen Hilde Verbeek Ivonne Lesman-Leegte Marja F. I. A. Depla Annerieke Stoop Maud J. L. Graff Debby L. Gerritsen |
| author_sort | Charlotte T. M. van Corven |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Social interactions are important for people living with dementia in a nursing home. However, not much is known about interactions and relationships between residents and family caregivers and related experiences of family caregivers. We aim to advance the knowledge on how family caregivers interact with people living with dementia in a nursing home and how they maintain or redesign a meaningful connection. Methods Qualitative research using interviews with family caregivers (n = 31) to explore perspectives on their interaction and relationship with the person living with dementia. Interviews were held during the reopening of nursing homes after the first COVID-19 lockdown in the Netherlands. In this situation, family caregivers became more aware of their interaction and relationship with the resident, which provided a unique opportunity to reflect on this. The interviews explored the interaction and relationship in a broad sense, not specifically for the COVID-19 situation. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results We were able to identify three key themes reflecting the experiences of family caregivers: (1) changes in the interaction and relationship, (2) strategies to promote connection, and (3) appreciation of the interaction and relationship. From the viewpoint of family caregivers, the interaction and relationship are important for both the resident living with dementia and for themselves, and family caregivers have different strategies for establishing a meaningful connection. Nevertheless, some appear to experience difficulties with constructing such a connection with the resident. Conclusions Our results provide a basis for supporting family caregivers in perceiving and establishing mutuality and reciprocity so that they can experience togetherness. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:38:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-da69329ce076469d98e9e0c827077d86 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T10:38:35Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-da69329ce076469d98e9e0c827077d862022-12-21T23:50:39ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182022-03-0122111110.1186/s12877-022-02922-xFamily caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative studyCharlotte T. M. van Corven0Annemiek Bielderman1Peter L. B. J. Lucassen2Hilde Verbeek3Ivonne Lesman-Leegte4Marja F. I. A. Depla5Annerieke Stoop6Maud J. L. Graff7Debby L. Gerritsen8Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical CenterDepartment of Primary and Community Care, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical CenterDepartment of Primary and Community Care, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical CenterDepartment of Health Services Research, Living Lab in Ageing and Long-Term Care, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht UniversityDepartment of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center GroningenDepartment of Medicine for Older People, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute (APH), Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical CenterDepartment Tranzo, Scientific Center for Care and Welfare, Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Tilburg UniversityScientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare and Department of Rehabilitation, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical CenterDepartment of Primary and Community Care, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical CenterAbstract Background Social interactions are important for people living with dementia in a nursing home. However, not much is known about interactions and relationships between residents and family caregivers and related experiences of family caregivers. We aim to advance the knowledge on how family caregivers interact with people living with dementia in a nursing home and how they maintain or redesign a meaningful connection. Methods Qualitative research using interviews with family caregivers (n = 31) to explore perspectives on their interaction and relationship with the person living with dementia. Interviews were held during the reopening of nursing homes after the first COVID-19 lockdown in the Netherlands. In this situation, family caregivers became more aware of their interaction and relationship with the resident, which provided a unique opportunity to reflect on this. The interviews explored the interaction and relationship in a broad sense, not specifically for the COVID-19 situation. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the data. Results We were able to identify three key themes reflecting the experiences of family caregivers: (1) changes in the interaction and relationship, (2) strategies to promote connection, and (3) appreciation of the interaction and relationship. From the viewpoint of family caregivers, the interaction and relationship are important for both the resident living with dementia and for themselves, and family caregivers have different strategies for establishing a meaningful connection. Nevertheless, some appear to experience difficulties with constructing such a connection with the resident. Conclusions Our results provide a basis for supporting family caregivers in perceiving and establishing mutuality and reciprocity so that they can experience togetherness.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02922-xDementiaFamily caregiversNursing homesSocial interactionPsychosocial support |
| spellingShingle | Charlotte T. M. van Corven Annemiek Bielderman Peter L. B. J. Lucassen Hilde Verbeek Ivonne Lesman-Leegte Marja F. I. A. Depla Annerieke Stoop Maud J. L. Graff Debby L. Gerritsen Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study BMC Geriatrics Dementia Family caregivers Nursing homes Social interaction Psychosocial support |
| title | Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Family caregivers’ perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | family caregivers perspectives on their interaction and relationship with people living with dementia in a nursing home a qualitative study |
| topic | Dementia Family caregivers Nursing homes Social interaction Psychosocial support |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02922-x |
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