Hidden assets: exploring connections between parenting and caregiving in the context of family caregivers of individuals with dementia
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Date
2023
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University of Delaware
Abstract
Family caregivers are responsible for the overwhelming task of providing varying levels of assistance with activities of daily living, as well as meeting the psychological, physiological, social, spiritual and emotional needs of their loved one with dementia. Challenging behavior and progressive loss of function in the care-receiver creates additional challenges, especially as most of these family caregivers do not have education or experience regarding dementia care. This exploratory case study used a phenomenological lens to investigate the lived experience of family caregivers of individuals with dementia who had previous experience as parents, building on a foundation of the Double ABC-X model of Family Stress and Adaptation. Specifically, the present study was interested in discovering if these caregivers utilized their past parenting experience in their current caregiving role. Purposive sampling was used to identify three local participants who were subsequently interviewed through semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) revealed two primary themes of burden and coping. The results indicated that the family caregivers in this study adapted their existing parenting skills to be applicable for their new role as a caregiver to their loved one with dementia. The Parenting and Dementia Specific Skills and Knowledge (PDK) Model for Family Caregiver Intervention is presented based upon the findings, to provide support for caregivers and suggest pathways for future research. ☐ Key words: dementia, family caregivers, skills, parenting, coping, burden
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Keywords
Burden, Family stress, Dementia, Family caregivers, Parenting, Emotional needs