There are a growing number of couples who become affected by dementia as one partner develops the condition while the other becomes a carer. However, our knowledge about the experiences of couples affected by dementia is limited. Very little knowledge about the impact of dementia on couples has been gained in previous research. The aim of this study was to explore the dyadic perspective of dementia within a couple relationship.
Methodology: Six couples were interviewed about their experience of living with dementia. Interview transcripts were subjected to interpretive phenomenological analysis to identify themes across participants’ accounts.
Results and conclusion: The analysis revealed three themes: (i) maintaining a bond, (ii) change and adjustment, and (iii) the challenge of coping. The results highlight the importance of studying the dyadic perspective and including people with dementia in research. Couples experienced an enduring commitment to one another as they adjusted to life with dementia.
AlmbergB. G. M.WinbladB. (1997).
Major strain and coping strategies as reported by family members who care for aged demented relatives. Journal of Advanced Nursing,
26(4), 683–691.
BaikieE. (2002).
The impact of dementia on marital relationships. Sexual and Relationship Therapy,
17(3), 289–299.
6.
BraunM.ScholzU.BaileyB.PerrenS.HornungR.MartinM. (2009).
Dementia caregiving in spousal relationships: A dyadic perspective. Aging and Mental Health,
13(3), 426–436.
7.
British Psychological Society. (2008). Good practice guidelines: Service user and carer involvement within clinical psychology training.
Leicester:
BPS.
8.
DanielsK. J.LamsonA. L.HodgsonJ. (2007).
An exploration of the marital relationship and Alzheimer’s disease: One couple’s story. Families, Systems and Health,
25(2), 162–177.
9.
DaviesJ. C. (2011).
Preserving the ‘us identity’ through marriage commitment while living with early-stage dementia. Dementia,
10(2), 217–234.
10.
DaviesJ.GregoryD. (2007).
Entering the dialogue: Marriage biographies and dementia care. . Dementia,
6(4), 281–488.
Department of Health. (2005). Everybody’s business: Integrated mental health services for older adults – A service development guide.
London:
Department of Health.
14.
Department of Health. (2009). Living well with dementia: A National Dementia Strategy.
London:
Department of Health.
15.
Department of Health. (2011). Case for change – Community-based services for people living with dementia.
London:
Department of Health.
16.
Department of Health. (2012). Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia: Delivering major improvements in dementia care and research by 2015.
London:
Department of Health.
17.
Department of Health. (2015). Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020.
London:
Department of Health.
18.
FineM.GlendinningC. (2005).
Dependents, independents, or inter-dependents? Revisiting the concepts of ‘care’ and ‘dependency’. Aging and Society,
25, 601–621.
19.
House of Lords: Select Committee on Public Service and Demographic Change. (2013). Ready for ageing? (Report of session 2012–1013).
London:
The Stationary Office Limited.
20.
LynchK. (2007).
Love labour as a distinct and non-commodifiable form of care labour. Sociological Review,
55(3), 550–570.
21.
MenneH.JohnsonJ. D.WhitlatchC. J. (2008). What is the relationship between background characteristics and the dyadic strain experienced by individuals with dementia? Alzheimer’s Care Today, 9, 190–197.
22.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). (2006). Dementia: Supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care.
London:
NICE.
23.
NewbronnerL.ChamberlainR.BorthwickR.BaxterM.GlendinningC. (2013). A road less rocky: Supporting carers of people with dementia.
London:
Carers Trust.
24.
NygårdL. (2006).
How can we get access to the experiences of people with dementia? Suggestions and reflections. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(2), 101–112.
25.
RobinsonL.ClareL.EvansK. (2005).
Making sense of dementia and adjusting to loss: Psychological reactions to a diagnosis of dementia in couples. Aging and Mental Health,
9(4), 337–347.
SteemanE.Dierckx de CasterleB.GodderisJ.GrypdonckM. (2006). Living with early-stage dementia: A review of qualitative studies. Integrative Literature Reviews and Meta Analyses54, 722–738.
28.
WhitlatchC. J. (2001).
Including the person with dementia in family care-giving research. Aging and Mental Health,
5, S20–SS22.
29.
YardleyL. (2000).
Dilemmas in qualitative health research. Psychology and Health,
15(2), 215–228.
