Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, SC, USA.
Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2010 May;25(3):255-64. doi: 10.1177/1533317509357737. Epub 2010 Feb 10.
This study describes family caregivers' experiences moving relatives with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders (ADRD) from their homes to assisted living facilities (ALFs) and subsequently to memory care units (MCUs). We also examined how these experiences differed between caregiver dyad types, such as adult children caring for parents. In-depth interviews with 15 caregivers were transcribed verbatim. Grounded theory identified themes. Constant comparative analysis compared experiences of caregiver dyads. Most caregivers recognized the likely need for future specialized care at the time of the move to the ALF, but did not recall receiving information about transfer policies. The ALF move was harder for spouses, the MCU move for adult children. Assisted living facilities can improve support for caregivers facing a relative's MCU transition through education about advantages of MCU placement and information about transfer policies. Support needs during transitions may differ between adult children and spouses.
本研究描述了家庭照顾者将患有阿尔茨海默病或相关障碍（ADRD）的亲属从家中转移到辅助生活设施（ALFs），然后再转移到记忆护理单元（MCUs）的经历。我们还研究了这些经历在不同类型的照顾者对（如子女照顾父母）之间的差异。对 15 名照顾者的深入访谈进行了逐字转录。扎根理论确定了主题。恒定性比较分析比较了照顾者对的经历。大多数照顾者在搬到 ALF 时就已经认识到未来可能需要专门的护理，但不记得收到过有关转移政策的信息。配偶在 ALF 搬迁时面临更大的困难，而子女在 MCU 搬迁时则面临更大的困难。辅助生活设施可以通过提供关于 MCU 安置优势的信息和关于转移政策的信息，来改善面临亲属 MCU 过渡的照顾者的支持。在过渡期间，子女和配偶的支持需求可能不同。
