Self-care behaviors of spouses caring for significant others with Alzheimer's disease: the emergence of self-care worthiness as a salient condition.
Little of our empirical knowledge regarding how family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) manage their self-care needs is grounded in the perspectives of caregivers themselves. Using a grounded theory methodology, we explored self-care behaviors of nine spousal caregivers and developed a substantive theory of finding normalcy for self that reflects how spousal caregivers restore self-care behaviors in the context of a constant state of flux. Self-care worthiness, a new concept, emerged as a salient condition of finding normalcy. This provides a starting point for understanding self-care in spousal caregivers and illuminates the intricate process of caring for self while caring for a significant other with AD.
Furlong
Karen E
KE
University of New Brunswick, Department of Nursing, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
Wuest
Judith
J
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease; D002170:Canada; D017028:Caregivers; D003657:Decision Making; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care