Characteristics of Early Onset Dementia and Caring Experiences and Service Needs of Family Caregivers: A Mixed Methods Study
10.12934/jkpmhn.2023.32.2.101
- Author:
Jin Ha KIM
1
;
Gyungjoo LEE
Author Information
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, Kyungdong University, Wonju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
2023;32(2):101-113
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the caring experiences of the family caregivers of patients with early-onset dementia, and identify the characteristics of early-onset dementia.
Methods:A qualitative study was conducted using Colaizzi‘s phenomenological method to explore the caring experiences and service needs of ten family caregivers. A quantitative study was carried out by secondary data analysis to compare the differences in disease characteristics and comorbidities between early and late-onset dementia.
Results:The experiences of the family caregivers of patients with early-onset dementia were ‘Learning about dementia’, ‘Away from everyday life’, ‘Facing dementia’, and ‘Barely managing’. The study also revealed that one out of five dementia patients had early-onset dementia. However, most dementia services are concentrated on late-onset dementia. Thus, the family and caregivers of early-onset dementia patients experience relatively inadequate services.
Conclusion:This study’s findings identified the characteristics of early-onset dementia, as well as the caring experiences and service needs of family caregivers from a more holistic perspective, and will contribute to the development of adequate nursing intervention programs and policies in the future.
