School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
J Clin Nurs. 2012 Apr;21(7-8):1078-86. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.03960.x. Epub 2012 Jan 31.
This study aimed to understand the experiences of Iranian family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.
Increasing rate of Alzheimer's disease along with the ageing population has made this disease an urgent public health challenge worldwide. As non-professional caregivers, family members play a significant role in delivering care to elders, most of whom have one or more chronic diseases. Family-based caregiving has expanded with the encouragement of non-institutionalisation but at the same time creates challenges for caregivers.
A qualitative study was conducted using Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology.
Eight Iranian family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease were interviewed. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed; data were analysed by Van Manen's methodology.
One of the most important themes that emerged was 'captured in the whirlpool of time', which also contained the subthemes of 'reminiscence of past' and 'being afraid of the future'. Family caregivers frequently remembered their common past experiences when interacting with their loved ones with Alzheimer's disease, as though travelling with him/her to the past. Furthermore, caregivers continually compared the past abilities of their relative with their present condition, which resulted in feelings of loss and regret. Further, the unpredictable nature of Alzheimer's disease created fear about the future deterioration of the condition and caregivers' future suffering.
The findings demonstrated the necessity of providing continuous education and support for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.
Nurses are among front-line professionals who are in a position to support and provide information for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.
本研究旨在了解伊朗阿尔茨海默病患者家属的经历。
随着人口老龄化，阿尔茨海默病的发病率不断上升，使该病成为全球紧迫的公共卫生挑战。作为非专业护理人员，家庭成员在为老年人提供护理方面发挥着重要作用，其中大多数人患有一种或多种慢性病。在非机构化的鼓励下，以家庭为基础的护理已经扩大，但同时也给护理人员带来了挑战。
采用海德格尔解释学现象学进行定性研究。
对 8 名伊朗阿尔茨海默病患者的家属进行了访谈。采访进行了录音和转录；数据采用范梅南的方法进行分析。
出现的一个最重要的主题是“陷入时间的漩涡”，其中还包含“回忆过去”和“害怕未来”两个次主题。当与患有阿尔茨海默病的亲人互动时，照顾者经常回忆起他们共同的过去经历，就像和他/她一起回到过去一样。此外，护理人员不断将亲人过去的能力与其现在的状况进行比较，这导致了失落和遗憾的感觉。此外，阿尔茨海默病的不可预测性质导致对病情未来恶化和护理人员未来痛苦的恐惧。
研究结果表明，有必要为阿尔茨海默病患者的家属提供持续的教育和支持。
护士是一线专业人员之一，他们能够为阿尔茨海默病患者的家属提供支持和信息。
