Future outlook of people living alone with early-stage dementia and their non-resident relatives and friends who support them

Bibliographic Data

ID11200720
AuthorsJ Heaton (0000-0002-0707-194X, University of the Highlands and Islands, corresponding author), Anthony Martyr (0000-0002-1702-8902, University of Exeter), Sharon M Neli (0000-0001-9055-3837, University of Exeter), Sharon M Nelis, Ivana S Marková (0000-0002-2095-7323, University of Hull), Robin G Morris (0000-0001-7767-5258, King's College London), Ilona Roth (0000-0001-5263-6009, The Open University), Bob Woods (0000-0002-6781-651X, Bangor University), Robert T Woods, L Clare (0000-0003-3989-5318, University of Exeter)
Year2021
Volume41
Issue11
Pages2660-2680
Publication date2021-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAgeing and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-686X • E-ISSN: 1469-1779
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0144686x20000513
OpenAlexW3020510167
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited23

Little is known about the experiences of people living alone with dementia in the community and their non-resident relatives and friends who support them. In this paper, we explore their respective attitudes and approaches to the future, particularly regarding the future care and living arrangements of those living with dementia. The study is based on a qualitative secondary analysis of interviews with 24 people living alone with early-stage dementia in North Wales, United Kingdom, and one of their relatives or friends who supported them. All but four of the dyads were interviewed twice over 12 months (a total of 88 interviews). In the analysis, it was observed that several people with dementia expressed the desire to continue living at home for ‘as long as possible’. A framework approach was used to investigate this theme in more depth, drawing on concepts from the existing studies of people living with dementia and across disciplines. Similarities and differences in the future outlook and temporal orientation of the participants were identified. The results support previous research suggesting that the future outlook of people living with early-stage dementia can be interpreted in part as a response to their situation and a way of coping with the threats that it is perceived to present, and not just an impaired view of time. Priorities for future research are highlighted in the discussion

Coping (psychology) · Dementia · Developmental psychology · Disease · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Sociology · Data Analysis and Archiving · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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