dc.rights.license | CC-BY-NC-ND | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Groen-van de Ven, L. | |
dc.contributor.advisor | Smits, C.H.M. | |
dc.contributor.author | Hummel, M. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2015-07-28T17:01:16Z | |
dc.date.available | 2015-07-28T17:01:16Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2015 | |
dc.identifier.uri | https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/20628 | |
dc.description.abstract | Background: People with dementia have to make numerous decisions regarding daily life and wellbeing issues. Due to cognitive decline, a care network of formal and informal caregivers is involved in decision-making. It is expected that specific considerations play a role for informal caregivers in decision-making regarding a person with dementia who lives alone.
Objective: To gain insight in the considerations of informal caregivers when making decisions regarding a person with dementia who lives alone.
Method: A qualitative, multi-perspective, exploratory design. A secondary analysis was conducted on the interviews of five care networks around a person with dementia. This network consisted of a person with dementia, two informal caregivers and two formal caregivers. Each network member was interviewed three times during one year. 70 interviews were analyzed using principles of Grounded Theory.
Results: Three underlying themes frame considerations of informal caregivers; 1) Provide wellbeing of the person with dementia 2) Comply to restrictions 3) Non-rational considerations. Each theme interacts with another, either conflicting or reinforcing.
Conclusion: Making decisions for a person with dementia who lives alone is a difficult process. Providing wellbeing to the person with dementia whereby the person feels autonomous conflicts with having to comply to restrictions and decisions that are based on non-rational considerations. Findings highlight the importance of caregivers knowledge about dementia and insight in the decision-making process.
Recommendations Professionals who support informal caregivers in decision-making regarding a person with dementia who lives alone, should acknowledge that decision-making is a difficult process with counteracting considerations. Proxy decision-makers should be provided with knowledge about dementia and insight in the decision-making process. This could be provided by case managers or at informal meetings like ‘Alzheimer café’s’. | |
dc.description.sponsorship | Utrecht University | |
dc.format.extent | 339426 | |
dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.title | The considerations of informal caregivers in decision-making regarding a person with dementia who lives alone | |
dc.type.content | Master Thesis | |
dc.rights.accessrights | Open Access | |
dc.subject.keywords | Dementia, Community dwelling, Family Caregivers, Decision Making | |
dc.subject.courseuu | Verplegingswetenschap | |