J Korean Acad Nurs.  2017 Jun;47(3):367-379. 10.4040/jkan.2017.47.3.367.

Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of Spouses of Elderly People with Dementia at Home

• Jang HY
• Yi M

• KMID: 2426466
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2017.47.3.367

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to understand and describe the caring experiences of spouses of elderly people with dementia.
METHODS
The hermeneutic phenomenological method was used and participants were 12 spouses aged 65 and over who were taking care of their husbands or wives with dementia at home. Data were collected from individual in-depth interviews on participants' actual caring experiences. Additionally, novels, movies, and memoirs on elderly couples with partner who had dementia were included as data for the analysis. The qualitative data analysis software program was used to manage and process the collected qualitative data. Data were analyzed using hermeneutic phenomenological analysis based on four fundamental existentials including lived body, lived space, lived time, and lived others.
RESULTS
Five essential themes emerged from the analysis: 1) body moving like an old machine, 2) swamp of despair filling with hope, 3) sweet time after bitterness, 4) disappointed elderly couple in the empty nest, and 5) unappreciation vs. empathetic feelings. These essential themes were comprehensively summarized as "the road leading to the maturation of life with dedication and hope while bearing the weight of caring based on the couple's relationship."
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that the nature of the caring experience of spouses of elderly individuals with dementia is filled with many dynamic and paradoxical dimensions. Thus, results of the study would help with developing interventions tailored specifically for elderly spouse caregivers to support their role adaptation and ultimately improving their quality of life.

Keyword

Dementia; Aged; Spouses; Caregivers; Qualitative research

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Caregivers/*psychology
Dementia/*pathology
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Quality of Life
Severity of Illness Index
Social Class
Stress, Psychological

Reference

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