Study published: Challenges faced by daughters caring for a parent with dementia
The study addresses a group of informal caregivers that is underrepresented in research and will inform the development of future psychological support. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
In a recently published study, researchers from U-CARE explore the challenges experienced by adult daughters caring for a parent with dementia.
Challenges that change over time
The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 daughter caregivers in Sweden. In Tthe analysis identified onean overarching theme was identified describing how daughters’ roles and expectations change over time as the dementia progresses. Within this theme, several interconnected challenges were identified.
Balancing caregiving and everyday life
Daughters described that they had experienced expectations to take on a caregiving role. They also reported difficulties balancing caregiving responsibility with other life roles, such as work and family. Relationships with the parent changed over the course of the illness, often involving reduced reciprocity. Many daughters also described experiences of loss and grief, commonly in the form of anticipatory grief.
– The study shows that support needs may differ across different stages of the dementia trajectory, which is important to consider when developing psychological support, says the study’s main author Oscar Blomberg.
Miro Anter
Link to the article
Read the article '‘We are daughters, we are not lovable slaves’: challenges experienced by adult daughters caring for a parent with dementia – a qualitative study'. It is written by Oscar Blomberg, Abla Sami, Paul Farrand, Renita Sörensdotter, Frida Svedin, Louise von Essen, Anna Cristina Åberg, and Joanne Woodford.