Family carers' perspectives of the Alzheimer Café in Ireland.

Áine Teahan,Christine Fitzgerald,Eamon O'Shea

doi:10.12688/hrbopenres.13040.1

Áine Teahan, Christine Fitzgerald + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13040.1

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Abstract

Background: The Alzheimer Café is a psychosocial intervention shown to have benefits for family carers of people with dementia. Family carers of people with dementia experience a period of change across all aspects of their lives following a diagnosis of dementia, requiring the development of new skills and tools to navigate these new landscapes. The objective of this research is to investigate family carers' perspectives of the Alzheimer Café in Ireland, and to explore how attendance may translate into broader benefits in their lives. This paper will also provide an overview of Alzheimer Café models, which exist internationally. Methods: This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with nine family carers of people with dementia who were currently attending or have previously attended an Alzheimer Café in the preceding six months. The research was conducted in three Alzheimer Café sites in Ireland. Data analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke's six step framework for thematic analysis. Results: Community, atmosphere, activity and information were described as core features of the Alzheimer Café in Ireland for family carers. The Alzheimer Café was shown to provide a social outlet which facilitated relationship building within care dyads as well as with other attendees. Several information avenues were identified including broad overviews from guest speakers, attendees' shared experiences, and specific advice from healthcare professionals. Conclusion: The Alzheimer Café offers strong personal support to family carers of people with dementia. It can also help to build family carers' capacity to manage new social, environmental and cultural challenges associated with dementia. While it is important the Alzheimer Café is enjoyable, has useful information and is supportive, it is equally important that these features generate sustained improvements for family carers external to the Alzheimer Café.

Highlights

The Alzheimer Café is a psychosocial intervention shown to have a positive impact on different aspects of family carers and people with dementias’ lives (Dow et al, 2011; Greenwood et al, 2017; Merlo et al, 2018; Winterton & Warburton, 2011)
The Alzheimer Café model was developed by Bére Miesen in the Netherlands in the 1970s to address the lack of psychosocial supports within the largely medicalised approach to dementia care at the time
Community The Alzheimer Café provided family carers with an opportunity to be part of a new supportive community. This community network consisted of people with dementia, other family carers, staff and volunteers

Summary

Introduction

The Alzheimer Café is a psychosocial intervention shown to have a positive impact on different aspects of family carers and people with dementias’ lives (Dow et al, 2011; Greenwood et al, 2017; Merlo et al, 2018; Winterton & Warburton, 2011). The original Alzheimer Café model had three mains aims: to provide information about medical and psychosocial aspects of dementia; to speak openly about challenges associated with dementia; and to reduce isolation for people with dementia and their families (Miesen & Blom, 2001). The Alzheimer Café is a psychosocial intervention shown to have benefits for family carers of people with dementia. It can help to build family carers’ capacity to manage new social, environmental and cultural challenges associated with dementia While it is important the Alzheimer Café is enjoyable, has useful information and is supportive, it is important that these features generate sustained improvements for family carers external to the Alzheimer Café

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