title: Experience of companionship among family caregivers of persons with dementia: A qualitative study.
abstract: We examined how caregivers experienced the influence of dementia on their relationships with afflicted family members. Family caregivers (n = 15; 11 women and four men; age 39-92 years) of people with dementia participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed according to Kvale and Brinkman. The analysis identified one overarching theme, experiences of companionship, and four subthemes, namely experiences of loss and loneliness; role change; communication alteration; and caring considerations and coping resources. The caregivers described their companionship with the family member, including warm feelings of reciprocity, as well as contradictory feelings, such as feelings of being burdened. They expressed a desire to continue caring for their relative and emphasized the positive aspects of their relationship. Knowledge about dementia, together with a good relationship with their ill family member, facilitated the caring role. These results highlight the importance of receiving information about dementia-related challenges and the implications of being a caregiver.
authors: Faculty of Health Science, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Science, Norway.
authors: Heidi
authors: H
authors: Bjørge
authors: Faculty of Health Science, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Science, Norway.
authors: Berit
authors: B
authors: Sæteren
authors: Department of Psychiatry of Old Age, Oslo University Hospital Trust, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors: Ingun Dina
authors: ID
authors: Ulstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: burden; companionship; dementia; family caregiver; relationship