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Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shim, B; Barroso, J; Gilliss, CL; Davis, LL
Published in: Applied nursing research : ANR
August 2013

Dementia caregiving can be burdensome with many challenges, especially for spousal caregivers who are elderly and may have limited resources and chronic conditions of their own. However, it can also be an opportunity for growth and transcendence. Thematic qualitative analysis was conducted with 11 caregiver interviews to investigate how spousal caregivers of individuals with dementia found personal meaning in their caregiving experience. Caregivers commonly had altruistic values, and the discipline to live those values. They found meaning by believing in a choice of attitude and perceiving satisfaction in living according to their values in life. They had faith in a higher power, a strong sense of love for their spouses and they derived strength from past challenges. Positive attitudes among caregivers of individuals with dementia may be enhanced by sharing these stories and strategies. Study results also provide an expansion beyond commonly held views of caregiving for nurses.

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Published In

Applied nursing research : ANR

DOI

EISSN

1532-8201

ISSN

0897-1897

Publication Date

August 2013

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

121 / 126

Related Subject Headings

  • Spouses
  • Nursing
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Dementia
  • Caregivers
  • Aged
  • 4205 Nursing
  • 4204 Midwifery
 

Citation

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Shim, B., Barroso, J., Gilliss, C. L., & Davis, L. L. (2013). Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia. Applied Nursing Research : ANR, 26(3), 121–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2013.05.001
Shim, Bomin, Julie Barroso, Catherine L. Gilliss, and Linda L. Davis. “Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia.Applied Nursing Research : ANR 26, no. 3 (August 2013): 121–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2013.05.001.
Shim B, Barroso J, Gilliss CL, Davis LL. Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia. Applied nursing research : ANR. 2013 Aug;26(3):121–6.
Shim, Bomin, et al. “Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia.Applied Nursing Research : ANR, vol. 26, no. 3, Aug. 2013, pp. 121–26. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2013.05.001.
Shim B, Barroso J, Gilliss CL, Davis LL. Finding meaning in caring for a spouse with dementia. Applied nursing research : ANR. 2013 Aug;26(3):121–126.
Journal cover image

Published In

Applied nursing research : ANR

DOI

EISSN

1532-8201

ISSN

0897-1897

Publication Date

August 2013

Volume

26

Issue

3

Start / End Page

121 / 126

Related Subject Headings

  • Spouses
  • Nursing
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Dementia
  • Caregivers
  • Aged
  • 4205 Nursing
  • 4204 Midwifery