Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing (대한간호학회지)

Korean Society of Nursing Science (한국간호과학회)
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Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study on Caring Experience of Spouses of Elderly People with Dementia at Home

재가 치매노인 배우자의 돌봄 체험에 관한 해석학적 현상학 연구

  • Jang, Hye-Young (College of Nursing, Hanyang University) ;
  • Yi, Myungsun (College of Nursing.Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University)
  • 장혜영 (한양대학교 간호학부) ;
  • 이명선 (서울대학교 간호대학.간호과학 연구소)
  • Received : 2016.07.03
  • Accepted : 2017.05.06
  • Published : 2017.06.30
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Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to understand and describe the caring experiences of spouses of elderly people with dementia. Methods: The hermeneutic phenomenological method was used and participants were 12 spouses aged 65 and over who were taking care of their husbands or wives with dementia at home. Data were collected from individual in-depth interviews on participants' actual caring experiences. Additionally, novels, movies, and memoirs on elderly couples with partner who had dementia were included as data for the analysis. The qualitative data analysis software program was used to manage and process the collected qualitative data. Data were analyzed using hermeneutic phenomenological analysis based on four fundamental existentials including lived body, lived space, lived time, and lived others. Results: Five essential themes emerged from the analysis: 1) body moving like an old machine, 2) swamp of despair filling with hope, 3) sweet time after bitterness, 4) disappointed elderly couple in the empty nest, and 5) unappreciation vs. empathetic feelings. These essential themes were comprehensively summarized as "the road leading to the maturation of life with dedication and hope while bearing the weight of caring based on the couple's relationship." Conclusion: The findings indicate that the nature of the caring experience of spouses of elderly individuals with dementia is filled with many dynamic and paradoxical dimensions. Thus, results of the study would help with developing interventions tailored specifically for elderly spouse caregivers to support their role adaptation and ultimately improving their quality of life.

Keywords

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