People who face the bereavement of a partner with dementia have poorer mental health than those whose partners are dying from other diseases

The experience of bereavement on family caregivers of people with dementia in China

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Despite many studies on 'life after care' for family caregivers with dementia in Western societies, little is known about the bereavement experiences of family caregivers in China. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of bereavement on family members of people with dementia in China. It also hopes to inform end-of-life care within communities, providing a theoretical basis for improving the quality of life of bereaved family caregivers.

METHODS

Interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was adapted for this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit former family caregivers of people with dementia. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 bereaved family caregivers were collected. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.

FINDINGS

Five themes were identified: recalling the past life, lack of support, uncertainty of the future, social withdrawal and acceptance and release.

CONCLUSION

The experiences of bereavement on family members of people with dementia in China are socially and culturally complex. This article recommends that bereavement should be supported throughout the palliative process of community services and healthcare services. Providing all-round support and education on death and dying can help the family caregivers to pass through grief and help them to maintain their normal life.

EBN Perspectives, Mental Health

EBN Perspectives brings together key issues from the commentaries in one of our nursing topic themes