Ambiguous gain

Uncertain Benefits of Service Use for Dementia Carers

Bibliographic Data

ID2266274
AuthorsBarbara Lloyd (0000-0003-1729-6330, University of Tasmania), Barbara Teresa Lloyd, Christine Stirling (0000-0003-2723-8302, University of Tasmania)
Year2011
Volume33
Issue6
Pages899-913
Publication date2011-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-9566.2010.01332.x
PMID21371052
OpenAlexW1561138313
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited38

Community services for carers of people with dementia can assist in relieving caregiver burden and delay the institutionalisation of the person with dementia. Under some conditions, however, engagement with dementia services may produce unintended negative consequences, resulting in increased confusion and a reduction of agency for carers. Drawing on an analysis of three salient aspects of caregiver identities, this paper examines specific instances and consequences of 'ambiguous gain', defined as 'a putative or demonstrated benefit that, as an unintended outcome, results in increased uncertainty and a consequent reduction of agency or wellbeing at the level of individual or collective identity'. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for policy and practice

Agency (philosophy) · Business · Confusion · Dementia · Identity (music) · Institutionalisation · Political science · Psychiatry · Public relations · Salient · Service (business) · Sociology · Unintended consequences · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Marketing · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology