The purpose of this research is to document the characteristics of lives as to how seniors with dementia and their spouses live in a rural community, and to gain the overall picture by viewing them as a family unit.
Four couples participating in a community seniors program were interviewed. One member in each couple was in the early stages of dementia. Data from direct observation, as well as data regarding life history of the non-senile spouse was analyzed qualitatively.
Those results showed the seniors with dementia were aware of something wrong with their own perception and they tried to follow theirs habitual ways. Spouses served as both a caregiver and an aging people, and they had differing needs according to their respective roles. While recognizing that there were elements of response, interaction and support in the relationship of the couple with their extended family, and with their community, we found that the salient characteristics of their lives were the marital bond itself, and their considerations for their community.
This study suggests that viewing the overall picture as a family unit and sharing this view among the members of a care team can contribute to improving the quality of their lives.
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