Exploring the experiences of providing care at home in rural areas for a partner with moderate to severe dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Boyd, Emily (2017) Exploring the experiences of providing care at home in rural areas for a partner with moderate to severe dementia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Background: The main body of literature investigating experiences of caring for a spouse
with dementia has focussed on the experiences of receiving a diagnosis and on caring in
the early stages of the disorder. The current study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding
of caring for a spouse at home in rural areas with moderate to severe dementia.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with five participants who were
caring for their partner at home in rural areas with moderate to severe dementia. Verbatim
transcripts of the interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
(IPA).

Results: The analysis produced four superordinate themes; changes in the spousal
relationship, the demands of caring, managing the demands and unmet needs.

Conclusion: Participants’ accounts illustrated the complexity of caring for someone with
moderate to severe dementia and the psychological and practical resources that are
required in order to be able to continue to do so. Participants reflected on specific details of
their romantic relationships, aspects of their situation and sources of support which
facilitated them with the challenging task of caring.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Dementia carers, rural, severe dementia, spouse, care at home.
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Turnbull, Dr. Sue
• Date of Award: 2017
• Depositing User: Miss Emily Boyd
• Unique ID: glathesis:2017-8457
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 09 Oct 2017 14:54
• Last Modified: 11 Jan 2018 14:43
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8457