Authors
Kyungmin Kim, Lauren Bangerter, Dawne Finnie, Joseph Gaugler, Lapid Maria, Theresa Frangiosa, Joan Griffin
Publication date
2023/12
Journal
Innovation in Aging
Volume
7
Issue
Suppl 1
Pages
978
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Description
Lucid episodes (LE) in people living with late-stages of dementia (PLWD) have been reported anecdotally, but less is known about how this seemingly unexpected phenomenon is experienced by family members. This study aims to examine variability in family caregivers’ experiences with LE, focusing on the two most common groups of informal caregivers, spouses and children—whether they may exhibit differential appraisals of and responses to LEs. Using a sample of former and current family caregivers from UsAgainstAlzheimer’s A-LIST, we conducted an online survey to spouse and child caregivers (N= 387). Qualitative semi-structured interviews were also conducted with a subset of these caregivers who have witnessed an LE (n= 22). Survey results indicate that child caregivers were more likely to witness a LE. Among “former” caregivers who have witnessed a LE (n= 140), spouses were likely to appraise …
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