Ageing and Society

Table of Contents - 1998 - Volume 18, Issue 02  


The impact of the marital relationship on the experience of caring for an elderly spouse with dementia

ROSE D. H. LEWIS a1c1
a1 Department of Applied Social Studies and Green College, University of Oxford

Abstract

Husbands and wives constitute a large proportion of carers of those older people suffering dementia. Many older people with dementia have had a long history of personal relationships, often having lived with the same partner for most of their lives. Following the life course approach, this study explores the ways in which a couple's marital experiences impinge upon the challenges faced when a spouse develops dementia in late life and is cared for by his or her partner. I start by surveying the relevant literature. The second section outlines a study of nine couples and includes brief case vignettes. In the third section I seek to test out hypotheses extrapolated from the material, with the theme of how perceptions of the caring situation are related to perceptions of the pre-morbid marital relationship, drawing heavily upon the case material. No single discussion is exhaustive, as any of these hypotheses are worthy of intensive study in their own right. I conclude with a summary of the findings and a reflection on how professionals might put these findings into practice.

(Accepted July 22 1997)


Key Words: dementia; spouse; carers; older people; life course.

Correspondence:
c1 Address for correspondence: Richmond Services for Older People, Centre House, 68 Sheen Lane, London SW17 8LP