Care Convoys and Solitary Vessels: Navigating Family Care for Older Adults Living With Dementia in Arctic Norway

Abstract

Drawing on the metaphor of “care convoys,” this study explores the experiences and strategies of family caregivers of older adults with dementia in rural areas of Northern Norway. The study is part of a broader project that investigates how these older adults and their caregivers use or do not use municipal health and care services. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with 11 family caregivers in rural municipalities. The thematic analysis of the interview data yielded three main themes: Delaying the transition to long-term care amid evolving needs, facilitating knowledge transition, and navigating divergent expectations about involvement. In addition, a fourth theme, caregiving in the rural Arctic, was identified as cross-cutting, reflecting the unique rural Arctic context that was a backdrop across all themes. In navigating the caregiving journey, family caregivers assume various roles within care convoys. They may act as solitary vessels, as an integral part of a larger care convoy, or as the main ship guiding the convoy. At times, family caregivers serve as vessels called upon by the convoy when needed. Difficulties in assembling an adequate or robust care convoy were exacerbated by the context of the Artic North, which represents treacherous waters for the convoy to navigate, primarily due to two factors: first, many of the smaller ships (other family members) were not present or had to travel great distances to join the convoy and second, the lengthy journeys (long travel distances), and particularly in the winter time, made the convoys susceptible to loosing ships along the way.