Journal List > Korean J Adult Nurs > v.30(3) > 1099910

Kim, Kwon, and Lee: Experiences of Family Caregivers Utilizing Care Support of Dementia Center

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to understand the experiences of family caregivers utilizing Care Support of Dementia Centers (CSDC) in the community.

Methods

Colaizzi's phenomenological approach was used for this study. The participants were 10 family caregivers. Open in-depth interviews were used to collect data from January 2018 to February 2018.

Results

Four categories emerged from the analysis. The experiences of family caregivers utilizing CSDC included “ becoming to open the mind to dementia”, “ forming of good field for each other”, “ alterations in the patterns of family life” and “ hoping for a better life”. There were 8 clusters of themes and 17 themes. The experiences of family caregivers utilizing CSDC were driving force of understanding about dementia, older adults with dementia and caring. The older adults with dementia accepted their disease, they actively participated in supporting programs. So, forming of another world that provide regular activities for older adults with dementia, giving rest to the family caregivers, and rearranging the pattern of life according to the schedule of older adults with dementia. Moreover, they expressed the need for a helpful and empathetic support program.

Conclusion

These results sug-gest that CSDC helped older adults with dementia and their family caregivers. Therefore, the importance of the role of dementia centers has been emphasized. It is necessary to provide guidance on the content and direction of the network of community support systems.

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Table 1.
Themes, Theme Clusters, and Categories of the Study
Themes Theme clusters Categories
Getting to know about dementia, older adults with dementia and care Driving force of understanding about dementia and older adults with dementia Becoming to open the mind to dementia
Communicating older adults with dementia
Accepting their disease Recognition dementia
Seeking for help from surroundings of family caregivers
Giving the opportunity to older adults with dementia to participate in regular activities Forming of another world for older adults with dementia Forming of good field for each other
Comfortable with the same older adults with dementia
Taking own time to family caregivers Giving rest to the family caregivers
Supportive family meeting
Family counseling to control mind
Daily life according to the schedule of older adults with dementia Rearranging the pattern of life according to the schedule of older adults with dementia Alterations in the patterns of family life
Rearranging of work
Circular compensation for previous care Taking care of the relationship accumulated on life's journey
To be taken of own portion care
The wish to have more opportunities for support programs for people with dementia Need of support programs to provide benefit and empathy Hoping for a better life
Need sympathetic programs to family caregivers
Administrative consideration and respects
Need to be prepared for the possibility of dementia Preparing for family caregivers’ own future
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