Connecting Practitioners with the Progression of Alzheimer's Caregiving

Abstract

This study examined the expectations and experiences of caregivers throughout their caregiving career. Forty-five primary caregivers of Alzheimer's patients were invited to participate in the study. Caregivers were invited to share their experiences as Alzheimer's caregivers during in-depth interviews. Of the 45 caregivers interviewed, all fit into a stage of caregiving (early, moderate, late, and bereavement). Overall, the caregivers in the early stages tended to share more positive than negative aspects about their caregiving experience. Those who cared for someone in the middle stage described the difficulty of caring for someone with Alzheimer's and how overwhelming the experience was. The late stage of caregiving involved the most emotional, physical, and financial output by the caregiver, and caregivers in the bereavement stage described feeling a sense of relief mixed with feelings of chronic grief. Findings supported the development of a stages of caregiving model in regard to biopsychosocial (Engel, 1980) expectations and experiences. Recommendations are given to highlight the importance of viewing the caregiver in a larger biopsychosocial context (Engel, 1980).