Factors affecting the decision to place a relative with dementia into residential care.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the reasons why carers might decide that they could not continue caring for a relative with dementia at home.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews with carers of relatives who have dementia, before placing their relative into residential care and then again four months after that placement. n = 4.


RESULTS
Wandering, aggression, incontinence and physical dependency in people who have dementia are factors that might lead carers to consider placing their relative into residential care; stress associated with Christmas can be another influencing factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Carers looking after a relative who has dementia would benefit if the relative was provided with increased day care and home respite sitting services; services should be increased at Christmas; and support staff should be knowledgeable about the specific needs of people who have dementia and their carers.
Armstrong
M
M
Invicta Community Care NHS Trust.
D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003657:Decision Making; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology