In my master’s thesis I researched the changes and adversities of caretakers, who decided to care for their loved ones with dementia in the comfort of their own home.
In my theoretical part I focused on dementia itself. What are most likely to be the first signs of dementia, what types of dementia are we familiar with and where do we seek help to be diagnosed for dementia. I described changes, experienced by persons with dementia and adversities faced by the caretakers. I introduced a few formal dementia cares for the caretakers and the persons with dementia in northeast Slovenia. With my research I interviewed six caretakers of their relatives at home, I focused on changes they are facing and on adversities they are experiencing, how to face with diagnosis of dementia on their relatives, how dementia changed caretakers every day, what kind of personal adversities are facing the caretakers and how are they facing them.
The result showed that all caretakers are faced with changes in dynamics of everyday life. They specified that they were facing all kind of emotions, from shock to fear and sadness, when they found out the diagnosis. At caretaking, they felt mostly psychological burden. Only one of six caretakers that I interviewed is using formal care. They state that there is not enough information on formal care in local environment and that it is very difficult to get the information for formal care. I think it is very important that we all talk about dementia, and it is very important for early diagnosis of dementia for a more quality life for persons with dementia and their caretakers. It is necessary to offer formal support and care to persons with dementia and their caretakers at home at their first contact with doctors.
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