Dementia: How does spouse perceive it?

Abstract

The study aimed at finding how spouses perceive the condition of dementia experienced by their husband/wife in Bekasi, Indonesia. This study was qualitative research with a descriptive phenomenology approach involving 10 participants according to predetermined criteria. The results found 3 themes consisting of psychosocial responses of caregivers, caregivers’ burden, and positive responses of caregivers during caring for their spouse. There are 3 sub-themes in the first theme, 3 sub-themes in the second theme, and 3 sub-themes in the third theme. The various responses, both negative and positive experienced by caregivers show that being a caregiver for spouse with dementia is not easy. It needs a professional assistance by health personnel to help caregivers understand the dementia-related problems.