Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
XI. INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM OF SOCIAL AND APPLIED GERONTOLOGY, Antalya, Türkiye, 20 - 22 Kasım 2024, ss.48
Introduction/Purpose: Alzheimer’s disease constitutes the majority of all dementia cases. The increasing caregiving responsibilities for individuals with Alzheimer’s can lead to adverse changes within families and result in physical and psychosocial challenges for caregivers. Studies that elucidate the experiences of individuals whose mothers are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s contribute significantly to the literature and provide valuable insights for readers. This study aims to explore the psychosocial experiences of individuals whose mothers are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Method: This qualitative study was designed using a phenomenological approach. The study population consisted of individuals residing in Nevşehir and its surrounding provinces in Turkey, whose mothers were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as of 2024. The sample was selected using a purposive sampling method, and participants were recruited through snowball sampling. The study was conducted with 13 individuals who met the following criteria: aged 18 or older, fluent in Turkish, without communication barriers, had a mother diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s for at least five years, and agreed to participate. Individuals with mothers in the advanced stage of Alzheimer’s were excluded. Data were collected using a demographic information form and semi-structured interview forms and were analyzed through content analysis. The study was conducted between January and October 2024 with the approval of the ethics committee and the informed consent of participants.
Findings: Participants ranged in age from 39 to 61 years. Ten were female, three were male, and all had at least two children. The majority were literate homemakers with perceived middleto-low socioeconomic status. The average duration since their mothers’ Alzheimer’s diagnosis was 11.9 ± 2.2 years. Findings were categorized under two main themes. Participants reported difficulties in caregiving, a mixture of positive and negative emotions, challenges in adapting to life changes, transformations in their lives due to caregiving, emerging needs caused by caregiving burdens, and the erosive nature of the disease. Additionally, perceptions of caregiving roles varied among participants.
Conclusion: This study provides rich insights into the experiences of individuals with mothers diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It reveals that these individuals face significant disruptions in various aspects of life (work, marriage, family, social) due to the disease, with an increasing impact of its destructive nature. Participants were found to require comprehensive support. To address their needs effectively, a support program focusing on disease and symptom management, communication techniques, gerontological approaches, and real-life experiences should be developed. A multidisciplinary, solution-oriented service approach from a holistic perspective is recommended, along with comprehensive studies to better support these individuals.
Keywords: Mother, Alzheimer’s Disease, Psychosocial Needs, Qualitative Study