Survival strategies – living with an elderly person suffering from dementia

Jette Lauritzen, Senior Lecturer, MScN, MHA, RNT, DipHE/N, CRNA. Liu Suzhen, Professor, Ph.d., Karen Bro Aaen, lecturer, MSA, RNT, RN. Feng Xianqiong, Associated professor, ph.d. A research collaboration between VIA University College,Department of Nursing in Aarhus, Denmark and West China Medical College, School of Nursing, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Background: In China and Denmark the numbers of elderly demented citizens are rising. Therefore the contact between the Primary Health Care nurses and relatives of elderly demented persons has increased, in order to enable the elderly to stay in their own home. However, many relatives feel overwhelmed and stressed by taking on this task. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore relatives’ perceived burden of taking care of a close relative with dementia living in their private home. Methodology: A qualitative approach based on focus group interviews was used to explore Chinese and Danish relatives’ perceptions of their burden in caring for elderly with dementia and their experiences of interacting with the Primary Health Care nurses in both countries. As a part of the research collaboration a comparative study between the two groups of relatives, living in China and Denmark, has been performed. Preliminary Results: A thematic analysis of the interview transcripts identified themes such as the use of strategies in form of harassment of the elderly demented and fighting loneliness as a caregiver by using the Primary Health Care Nurses to alleviate stress, provide help and information about dementia. Conclusions/Recommendation: Chinese and Danish relatives are using survival strategies as everyday life becomes burden full when taking care of a relative suffering from dementia. In order to continuously live and cope with a person suffering from dementia it becomes essential that caregivers in both countries experience professional support from the Primary Health Care nurses.