Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Nostalgia and mobility perceptions of informal dementia carers

Worldwide, there is an increased prevalence of dementia and consequently informal dementia carers. Given the everyday responsibilities of informal dementia caring, the mobility of the informal carer is inextricably connected to the mobility of the one they care for. The mobility changes associated with informal dementia caring may foster feelings of nostalgia for past mobility, which may play a role in perceptions of present mobility. Therefore, the aim of this article is to better understand how nostalgia shapes mobility perceptions of informal dementia carers. Using remote graphic elicitation and telephone interviews, this article offers three key findings. Firstly, both reflective and restorative nostalgia are felt by the participants concerning their perceived past mobility, with the type of relationship with the care recipient playing a role how their nostalgia is experienced. Secondly, carers reflected very positively on their past mobility compared to their present mobility, which they considered mundane and care-centric. Thirdly, participants felt uncertain about their future mobility due to their reflections on past mobility and the unpredictability of dementia and care. Thus, the underlying feelings and sensations associated with nostalgia are key to understanding how carers experience their everyday lives and how this contributes to their sense of wellbeing.