title: Participation in physical and social activities among home-dwelling persons with dementia - experiences of next of kin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To be next of kin to a home-dwelling person with dementia is known to be a heavy burden, especially early in the process. Studies have revealed a need for information and support during the disease process. Likewise, there is support for the positive impacts of physical and social activities for wellbeing in home-dwelling people with dementia. It is important to obtain experiences from next of kin whose spouses or parents participate in such physical and social activities.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to elucidate the experiences of next of kin to home-dwelling persons in an early stage of dementia who had an opportunity to participate in organized physical and social activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study has a qualitative design. Focus group interviews were conducted with ten next of kin to home-dwelling dementia sufferers, who participated in physical and social activities in an activity center. The interview texts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IN THE ANALYSIS, TWO CATEGORIES EMERGED: "a break in the everyday" and "being attended and cared about." Two sub-categories identified in each of the two main categories were: "need of relief " and "meaningful activities;" and "being confirmed" and "sharing experiences and getting advice and help," respectively. These categories were interpreted in an overall theme: "contentment with adapted activities and group meetings provided with a person-centered approach."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adapted physical and social activities led by highly qualified personnel can provide needed relief and support to the next of kin, and meaningful activities to the dementia sufferers. However, it is crucial that the personnel provide person-centered care and are able to meet the needs of the dementia sufferers and their next of kin, to help to give them a new everyday life.
authors.affiliation: Center for Caring Research - Southern Norway, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Söderhamn
authors.forename: Bjørg
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Landmark
authors.forename: Sissel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eriksen
authors.forename: Olle
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Söderhamn
keywords: activity center; content analysis; parent; qualitative design; spouse