Fluctuating interpretations: Striving to maintain a sense of self in early dementia

Pen-Chen Kung; Huei-Ling Huang; Wen-Chuin Hsu; Jung-Lung Hsu; Li-Yu Tang; Yea-Ing L Shyu

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.02.017

Fluctuating interpretations: Striving to maintain a sense of self in early dementia

Geriatr Nurs. 2021 Mar-Apr;42(2):484-490. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.02.017. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Authors

Pen-Chen Kung¹, Huei-Ling Huang², Wen-Chuin Hsu³, Jung-Lung Hsu⁴, Li-Yu Tang⁵, Yea-Ing L Shyu⁶

Affiliations

¹ PhD student, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Lecturer, Department of Gerontology and Health Care Management, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Geriatric and Long-Term Care Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
² Associate Professor, Department of Gerontology and Health Care Management, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Associate Researcher, Department of Nursing, Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
³ Associate Professor & Visiting Staff, Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Director, Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁴ Associate professor, Attending, Department of Neurology, New Taipei Municipal Tu Cheng Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Adjunct Associate Professor, Taipei Medical University Shuang Ho Hospital, Graduate Institute of Humanities in Medicine and Research Center for Brain and Consciousness, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁵ Secretary General, Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁶ Lambda Beta Chapter-At-Large, Distinguished Professor, School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Professor and Group Project Leader, Healthy Aging Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Professor, Department of Gerontology and Health Care Management Chang Gung University of Science and Technology. Electronic address: yeaing@mail.cgu.edu.tw.

PMID: 33721655
DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.02.017

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework of the experience of persons living with the early stages of dementia. A grounded theory approach examined the experience from the perspective of the patient. Data were collected from dyads of persons with mild dementia and their family caregivers (N = 17) using face-to-face interviews at three timepoints over a one-year period. Transcribed interviews were analyzed with constant comparative analysis. The core category was "Fluctuating interpretations: striving to maintain one's sense of self." Interpretations were comprised of three subcategories: being a stranger to oneself, sense-making, and strategies for coexistence. Different situations influenced the process and affected individuals' attitudes and behaviors. Interpretations were a protective vehicle and stabilizing force that enabled persons with dementia to coexist with disease changes. Perspectives of persons with dementia during the early stages should be considered when designing intervention strategies for patient-centered care.

Keywords: Dementia; Family caregivers; Grounded theory; Interpretations; Qualitative.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Caregivers*
Dementia*
Grounded Theory
Humans
Patient-Centered Care
Qualitative Research