Process of ambivalent normalisation: experience of family caregivers of elders with mild cognitive impairment in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
To conceptualise the caregiving process in Taiwanese families caring for elders with mild cognitive impairment.


BACKGROUND
Family caregivers play an essential role in the lives of elders with mild cognitive impairment by dealing with their cognitive status and daily function. Little is known, however, about the development of the caregiving trajectory, particularly in Asian countries.


METHODS
Grounded theory methodology was used. Data were collected via in-depth interviews with 10 family caregivers of patients with mild cognitive impairment and living at home in northern Taiwan. Data were analysed by constant comparative analysis.


RESULTS
The process most used by family caregivers to adjust to conflicts and changes in relationships with elders with mild cognitive impairment was 'ambivalent normalisation'. This dynamic process included three components: subtle changes, optimistic appraisal and ambivalent anticipation. Family caregivers who had developed this process were more likely to adopt multiple effective behavioural approaches to avoid conflict in their daily life and to begin outlining future caregiving tasks.


CONCLUSIONS
The process of ambivalent normalisation can sensitise healthcare providers to family caregivers' needs and provide a basis for developing frameworks for future substantive theory and possible future research.


CONCLUSIONS
This study's findings may help healthcare providers understand family caregivers' needs and effective patterns for taking care of elders with mild cognitive impairment. Interventions can be developed to facilitate family caregivers' awareness of the changes in their loved one in the initial stage of diagnosis and adopt multiple effective strategies to prevent conflicts in their lives. Healthcare providers can actively examine the cognitive function of older people in general outpatient departments, provide well-timed treatments and minimise caregiver burden.
Kuo
Li-Min
LM
Graduate Institute of Nursing, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Shyu
Yea-Ing L
YI
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013624:Taiwan