title: Voices of Alzheimer Caregivers on Positive Aspects of Caregiving.
abstract: To discover positive gains as constructed by family caregivers of relatives with Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  
  Fifty-seven Hong Kong Chinese primary caregivers provided 669 diary recordings over an 8-week period, describing daily events and experiences in which positive gains were achieved. The diaries were analyzed independently by two researchers using thematic analysis.
  
  
  
  Ten themes related to positive gains were identified: (a) insights about dementia and acceptance of the condition, (b) a sense of purpose and commitment to the caregiving role, (c) feelings of gratification when the care-recipient (CR) was functioning relatively well, (d) mastering skills to handle the CR, (e) increased patience and tolerance, (f) cultivating positive meanings and humor amidst difficult circumstances, (g) letting go of things, such as when the CR's qualities had been lost or personal agenda had become unrealistic, (h) developing a closer relationship with the CR, (i) finding support, and (j) feeling useful helping other caregivers.
  
  
  
  In addition to treating negative outcomes such as depression, practitioners and researchers should, identify means to promote positive gains. Strategies mentioned in the caregivers' diaries, such as reframing stressful situations in a more positive light, may provide input into the design of such interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong. Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom. takcheng@ied.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Sheung-Tak
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Emily P M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong. Department of Clinical Psychology, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rosanna W L
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Physical Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Natalie S S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Linda C W
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D044466:Asian People; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Hong Kong Chinese; Positive aspects of caregiving; Qualitative methods