Maintaining Caring Relationships in Spouses Affected by Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to uncover ways that spouses living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) sustain engagement in their relationships. Coming to understand caring marital relationships when a partner is diagnosed with AD will help nurses to provide more effective support. Fifteen couples participated. Thirty conversations were analyzed with qualitative methods. Three overall themes of spousal caring were identified: engaging with compassion, patiently reaching out, and trusting in the existence of deep attachment. A central theme emerged: relating with compassion by reaching out and trusting in the existence of deep attachment strengthened by many years of marriage. Nurses have the opportunity to support caregivers struggling to find ways to connect with loved ones with AD. Understanding conversation patterns will help nurses provide support for caregivers affected by challenges of AD.