ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Informal caregivers’ experiences of caring for persons with dementia in Estonia: A narrative study
Merle Varik RN, BScN, MSW,
Marju Medar PhD,
Kai Saks MD, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Merle Varik RN, BScN, MSW
School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
Tartu Health Care College, Tartu, Estonia
Correspondence
Merle Varik, Tartu Health Care College, Tartu 50411, Nooruse 5, Estonia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMarju Medar PhD
School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorMerle Varik RN, BScN, MSW,
Marju Medar PhD,
Kai Saks MD, PhD,
Corresponding Author
Merle Varik RN, BScN, MSW
School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
Tartu Health Care College, Tartu, Estonia
Correspondence
Merle Varik, Tartu Health Care College, Tartu 50411, Nooruse 5, Estonia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMarju Medar PhD
School of Governance, Law and Society, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
This paper presents the results of a qualitative study aimed at exploring the experiences and needs of informal caregivers of persons with dementia and identifying caregiver expectations for support. The research was based on phenomenological and social constructionist approaches; it also took experience-centred and culturally oriented approaches to narratives. It was conducted in Estonia in 2017 by means of unstructured in-depth interviews with 16 informal caregivers who had relatives with dementia. The narrative approach used in this study proved to be an appropriate and valuable method to understand the situations of the caregivers of the people with dementia, in identifying their needs and expectations, and in developing social understanding for caregivers. The results are divided under four thematic headings: awareness of dementia; process of caregiving and different caregiving roles; influence of caregiving on personal life; and expectations of empowerment. We found that it is necessary to raise public awareness of dementia and develop person-centred support services for the people living with dementia.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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