Experiences of Family Caregivers Caring for Patient with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) becomes one of the diseases that greatly increased in the older adult population. Family caregivers play an important role in caring for family members who suffer from AD. The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of family caregivers’ lived experiences caring for a family member with AD from the perspective of an Indonesian. Methods: Narrative interviews were conducted with 13 family caregivers. These interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Results: The findings are presented under two main themes: Descent and ascent in caring for which emerged from category from being denial to acceptance, from lack of patience to compassion, from using to not using medication, and desperate yet responsibility. Another theme, caregivers’ life learning emerged from the category of ongoing caring for and getting through in caring for. Conclusion: Expressed concerns have shown that family caregivers not only face challenges in caring for family members suffering from AD, but also gain a lesson for life. It is necessary for family caregivers to manage caring processes for family members who suffer from AD.