CAREN logo

You are here

  1. Home
  2. Communicating emotional support: family caregivers' visits with residents living with dementia in nursing homes

Communicating emotional support: family caregivers' visits with residents living with dementia in nursing homes

This study characterized emotional connections between largely female caregivers and female care recipients with dementia living in nursing homes with the research question: How does interpersonal communication between family caregivers and older adults with dementia convey enacted emotional support? Ten dyads (8 with at least one female) of regularly-involved family caregivers (7 female; 3 male) and their relatives with dementia (5 female; 5 male) were videotaped. Qualitatively, three themes emerged: 1) distinct conversational topics, 2) shared physical proximity and silence, and 3) catalysts for natural interaction. These findings may help improve the quality of life of these predominantly female dyads.

Access source material through DOI

Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
ISBN/ISSN
0895-2841
Publication Year
2020
Issue Number
4
Journal Titles
Journal of Women & Aging
Volume Number
32
Start Page
389
End Page
401