En helt ny värld

: En litteraturstudie om anhörigas upplevelser av att vårda närstående med kognitiv sjukdom

Abstract

Background: The number of informal caregivers is increasing in Sweden. A large number of individuals with cognitive disease are being cared for by informal caregivers due to restricted help from municipalities. Nurses have an important role including detecting, supporting and understanding the experiences of the family. Family-centered care involves seeing the family as a unit or system and favors a non-hierarchical relationship between nurses and family. By using family-centered care, nurses can promote an improved situation for the whole family. Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight informal caregivers' experiences of caring for relatives with cognitive disease. Method: This literature study is based on ten qualitative articles found through a systematic search in two databases focusing on nursing, PubMed and Cinahl. The articles are reviewed based on HKR's review template and were analysed according to Friberg's five-step model. Results: Informal caregivers' experience of caring for relatives with cognitive disease resulted in the following categories and subcategories; Finding strategies - Who can help me? How should I handle this? Life finds new ways - How does life change? Who are we now? and You can trust me - How does responsibility affect me? What does informal caregiving do to me? Discussion: The method was discussed based on Shenton's interpretation of the four concepts of credibility. Three findings are discussed; Who can help me? How does life change? How does responsibility affect me? These findings are discussed from a societal perspective, ethical aspects, and from a nursing-theoretical perspective.

Date of Award	2023-May
Original language	Swedish
Supervisor	Lisa Axelsson (Supervisor) & Christine Etzerodt Laustsen (Examiner)