This exploratory study was designed to describe, analyze and understand from the perspective of a primary caregiver husband, what it is like to care for a wife with middle stage Alzheimer's Disease. Using the ethnographic approach, three spouses with wives suffering from Alzheimer's Disease were interviewed and two spouses were observed in their home during one dinnertime period. Analysis of data yielded five domains of meaning: lifestyle change concerns, helplessness/powerlessness, care for own, concerns for future and coping. Two cultural themes emerged as "alone" and "hopeless". Implications for nursing practice include increasing the awareness and understanding among health care professionals of the desperate nature of the caregiver' s burden. Additionally, the caregiver's coping skills need to be maintained and enhanced as they "care for their own" and attempt to keep themselves mentally and physically healthy.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/291859 |
| Date | January 1992 |
| Creators | Doran, Florence Louise, 1934- |
| Contributors | Glittenberg, JoAnn |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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