Living with a partner with dementia: a systematic review and thematic synthesis of spouses' lived experiences of changes in their everyday lives. (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Egilstrod, Barbara; Ravn, Maiken Bay; Petersen, Kirsten Schultz
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 23:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 550
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Spouses -- dementia and cognitive disorders -- lived experiences -- everyday life -- review; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1433634
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Dementia causes dramatic changes in everyday-living for spouses. Occured changes in marital relationship, force spouses to perform more both mentally and physically. Leading to a spousal perceived burden. To improve understanding of spouses' needs, spouses lived experiences is needed. The aim was to identify and synthesise qualitative studies on spouses' lived experiences of living with a partner with dementia. Methods: A systematic search was undertaken in January 2017. Six databases (CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO and Sociological Abstracts) were searched, using search terms in accordance with PICo. A descriptive synthesis and a thematic synthesis were undertaken. Findings: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Three themes derived from the analysis 1) Noticing changes in everyday life 2) Transformation to a new marital relation in everyday life, with corresponding sub-themes; changes in marital relationship, management of the transitioned marital relation in everyday life 3) Planning the future. Conclusion: Findings provide an overview of how spouses notice changes and transform their marital relationships in everyday-life. Findings offer a deeper understanding of changes that occurs over time while the partner is living at home. Findings contribute with knowledge on spouses' experiences of changes in early-stages of dementia. Interventions supporting spouses are needed.