The Lived Experiences of Informal Caregiving for a Parent With Early-Stage Dementia

Date of Award

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Lota A. Teh, PhD

Abstract

A review of related literature has shown that a gap exists in caregiving literature specifically caregiving in older adults in the general population, informal caregiving for older adults with dementia in the Asian setting, and research tackling early-stage experiences. To address this gap, this research examined the experiences of five Filipino adult caregivers caring for a parent in early-stage dementia. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. A total of four superordinate themes emerged: (1) Facing the Condition; (2) Unique Challenges of Being a Caregiver; (3) Reasons for Caregiving; and (4) Coping Mechanisms and Strategies. This study adds to the scarce literature in how dementia caregiving is carried out in the local setting; how adult child caregivers can be supported in their endeavor; and how healthcare professionals can better communicate and support a family that was given a dementia diagnosis.

Keywords: dementia caregiving, Filipino values, IPA, qualitative research

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