Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this mixed method study was to explore the voice of husbands to learn about the positive aspects of caregiving for a wife with dementia.The study utilized a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions and the Gain in Alzheimer's Care INstrument with a sample of ten husbands.The husbands on average were caring for a wife with dementia for 7.45 years and averaged 77.8 years old.While listening to the audio-recorded interviews, themes were transcribed focusing on the positive aspects of caregiving and the overall caregiving experience.All husband participants stated at least one positive aspect of caregiving and eight of the ten husbands stated more than one positive aspect of caregiving.The most common positive aspect of caregiving for a wife with dementia that was found was still being able to do things with her and spend time with her and seven of the ten husbands stated this.Knowing their wives are getting proper and personalized care and their wives still knowing who they are were the second most mentioned positive aspects with five of the ten husbands stating these.Other positive aspects included things like growing closer to their wives and seeing them happy.All husbands stated that there was a change in the relationship with their wife.There were no linkages found between characteristics of husbands (e.g.age, length of time caregiving, length of marriage) and likelihood to increase or decrease the chances of them finding positive aspects of caregiving.This research used a strengths-based approach to the examination of caregiving from the perspective of the husband caregiver contributing to the gaps in the current literature while building upon the recently created Gain in Alzheimer's Care INstrument.
Author: Mackenzie Hiemstra
Institution: Bowling Green State University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2727654692