A description of adult child and spouse caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease: Reactions to loss

Since 1987, the New York University Alzheimer's Disease Center Caregiver Research Program has evaluated the benefits of a multifaceted, structured treatment program for spouse-caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This intervention strategy for caregivers was based on the clinical experience of counselors who worked with families of AD patients both individually and in support groups for many years. The unifying theme of the intervention is that improving social support and mastery improves the ability of the caregiver to withstand the difficulties of caregiving. The intervention takes into account the diversity and variability in caregiver problems, and is not time limited.

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Perception of change in sexual activity in Alzheimer's disease: views of people with dementia and their spouse-caregivers

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610216001642 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 185-193 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marcela Moreira Lima Nogueira ◽

Jose Pedro Simões Neto ◽

Maria Fernanda B. Sousa ◽

Raquel L. Santos ◽

Isabel Barbeito Lacerda ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Sexual Activity ◽

Sexual Satisfaction ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Sexual Experience ◽

Sexual Dissatisfaction ◽

Spouse Caregivers

ABSTRACTIntroduction:The onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects couples’ relationship. We investigated the perception of change and sexual satisfaction in spouse-caregivers and their partners diagnosed with AD.Methods:We compared 74 dyads of people with Alzheimer's disease (PwAD)/spouse-caregivers and 21 elderly dyads control. We assessed sexual satisfaction with Questionnaire on Sexual Experience and Satisfaction (QSES), cognition using a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), disease severity using a Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR), awareness of disease with Assessment Scale of Psychosocial Impact of the Diagnosis of Dementia (ASPIDD), functionality with Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), depressive symptoms with Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), quality of life using a Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Scale (QoL-AD), and burden using a Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI).Results:We found differences between the perception and no perception of change in sexual activity of PwAD (p < 0.001), spouse-caregivers (p < 0.01), and controls (p < 0.05). Moderate to severe sexual dissatisfaction was observed in 36.5% of PwAD, 65% of spouse-caregivers, and 31% of controls. PwAD sexual satisfaction was related to cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). Spouse-caregivers sexual satisfaction was related to gender (p < 0.05) and the presence of sexual activity (p < 0.001).Conclusions:The perception of change with higher sexual dissatisfaction, were significant in PwAD and their spouse-caregivers, in comparison with couples of elderly without dementia.

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Love in the Shadow of Oblivion: The Meaning Given to Love in Couples Living With Alzheimer’s Disease, From a Family View

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.1482 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 458-458

Author(s):

Orit Shavit ◽

Aaron Ben-Ze’ev ◽

Israel (Issi) Doron

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Social Constructivism ◽

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽

Adult Child ◽

Future Research ◽

Family Perspective ◽

The Subject ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Continuity And Discontinuity

Abstract Aims and objectives: To deeply understand the significance of love between spouses who live with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in a familial aspect. Background: While there is extensive empirical knowledge on the subject of AD, as well as about love, little is known about love in old age, and even less is known about love between spouses who live with AD. This study is a pioneering study that describes love and relationship with AD. Design: A phenomenological qualitative research, which enables a close examination of the experience that accompanies the couple and their adult children from a family perspective that has not yet been examined. It belongs to the stream of Social Constructivism whereby the purpose of interviewing more than one family member was used to capture the process by which family members construct their identity as individuals and as a family unit. Methods: Forty-five in-depth interviews were conducted with n = 15 triads including the couple and their adult child, based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: Three central themes emerged: (1) The meaning of AD, (2) Continuity and discontinuity of love prior and with AD, (3) The meaning of love in coupled living with AD. Conclusions: Commitment with AD is a moral-ethical obligation, and not necessarily because of love, due to the increasing price of separation. Future research is discussed. Key words: Alzheimer’s disease, Love, Relationship, Meaning, couples

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