1
,Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Impact of Alzheimer’s caregiving..........................................................................................................6
2. Research background.................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Problem statement..............................................................................................................................7
2.2 Research Questions..............................................................................................................................7
2.3 Research Goal.......................................................................................................................................7
2.4 Research population.............................................................................................................................7
3. Methodology..............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Secondary research online...................................................................................................................8
3.2 Qualitative Interviews..........................................................................................................................8
3.3 Expert consultation..............................................................................................................................8
3.4 Patient Observation.............................................................................................................................8
3.5 Obstacles and Bottlenecks....................................................................................................................8
4. Literature Review.....................................................................................................................................10
4.1 About Alzheimer’s disease:................................................................................................................10
4.2 Overview of disease progression........................................................................................................10
4.3 Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s........................................................................................13
4.4 Everything that is gone and kept........................................................................................................14
4.5 The power of music............................................................................................................................14
4.6 A devastating disease for families and their loved ones.....................................................................15
4.7 Dementia Caregiving tasks.................................................................................................................15
4.8 Knowing one persons’ core values and needs....................................................................................16
4.9 Empathy.............................................................................................................................................17
5. Results......................................................................................................................................................17
5.2 Basic Human Needs adapted to Alzheimer’s disease.........................................................................18
5.3 Importance of activities......................................................................................................................21
5.4 Stimulating activities in dementia care...............................................................................................22
5.5 Interventions......................................................................................................................................23
6. Discussion.................................................................................................................................................24
7. Conclusion and Requirements..................................................................................................................25
8. References...............................................................................................................................................29
Appendix 1...................................................................................................................................................32
Interview with Nurse................................................................................................................................32
Appendix 2...................................................................................................................................................34
Interview with family member (daughter)...............................................................................................34
Appendix 3...................................................................................................................................................37
2
, Interview with caring family member......................................................................................................37
Appendix 4...................................................................................................................................................38
Home Observation elderly with moderate Alzheimer’s disease...............................................................38
Appendix 5...................................................................................................................................................39
Expert Interview Dr. X..............................................................................................................................39
Appendix 6...................................................................................................................................................44
Interview with Dr. X.................................................................................................................................44
Appendix 7...................................................................................................................................................48
Appendix 8...................................................................................................................................................48
Appendix 9...................................................................................................................................................48
Appendix 10.................................................................................................................................................51
Appendix 11.................................................................................................................................................51
3
, Abstract: This research aims to identify key issues related to the interpersonal relationship between
nurses, family members, and patients. One of the greatest nursing challenges is staying vigilant towards
someone becoming less attentive with time. This creates an imbalance in the relationship. More is given
than can be returned. The present is not the here, and now; it plays in the past or a fictional dream
perception. However, this should not result in family members disconnecting from the loved one, even
with advanced dementia. Babies and toddlers themselves cannot speak yet can understand a lot – which
doesn't prevent us from communicating with them all the time. Instead, caring relatives are slowly
distancing themselves from the diagnosed individual. Leaving a family member because of the diagnosis is
not the right way to support their loved ones. Particularly focusing on communicational obstacles
between the patient and the nurse or family caregiver. The feeling of belonging and emotional exchange
is immensely important for their last chapter of life.
Keywords: Care givers, Cognitive Impairment, Dementia consequences, Memory Loss, Prevention,
Support
4
,Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Impact of Alzheimer’s caregiving..........................................................................................................6
2. Research background.................................................................................................................................7
2.1 Problem statement..............................................................................................................................7
2.2 Research Questions..............................................................................................................................7
2.3 Research Goal.......................................................................................................................................7
2.4 Research population.............................................................................................................................7
3. Methodology..............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Secondary research online...................................................................................................................8
3.2 Qualitative Interviews..........................................................................................................................8
3.3 Expert consultation..............................................................................................................................8
3.4 Patient Observation.............................................................................................................................8
3.5 Obstacles and Bottlenecks....................................................................................................................8
4. Literature Review.....................................................................................................................................10
4.1 About Alzheimer’s disease:................................................................................................................10
4.2 Overview of disease progression........................................................................................................10
4.3 Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s........................................................................................13
4.4 Everything that is gone and kept........................................................................................................14
4.5 The power of music............................................................................................................................14
4.6 A devastating disease for families and their loved ones.....................................................................15
4.7 Dementia Caregiving tasks.................................................................................................................15
4.8 Knowing one persons’ core values and needs....................................................................................16
4.9 Empathy.............................................................................................................................................17
5. Results......................................................................................................................................................17
5.2 Basic Human Needs adapted to Alzheimer’s disease.........................................................................18
5.3 Importance of activities......................................................................................................................21
5.4 Stimulating activities in dementia care...............................................................................................22
5.5 Interventions......................................................................................................................................23
6. Discussion.................................................................................................................................................24
7. Conclusion and Requirements..................................................................................................................25
8. References...............................................................................................................................................29
Appendix 1...................................................................................................................................................32
Interview with Nurse................................................................................................................................32
Appendix 2...................................................................................................................................................34
Interview with family member (daughter)...............................................................................................34
Appendix 3...................................................................................................................................................37
2
, Interview with caring family member......................................................................................................37
Appendix 4...................................................................................................................................................38
Home Observation elderly with moderate Alzheimer’s disease...............................................................38
Appendix 5...................................................................................................................................................39
Expert Interview Dr. X..............................................................................................................................39
Appendix 6...................................................................................................................................................44
Interview with Dr. X.................................................................................................................................44
Appendix 7...................................................................................................................................................48
Appendix 8...................................................................................................................................................48
Appendix 9...................................................................................................................................................48
Appendix 10.................................................................................................................................................51
Appendix 11.................................................................................................................................................51
3
, Abstract: This research aims to identify key issues related to the interpersonal relationship between
nurses, family members, and patients. One of the greatest nursing challenges is staying vigilant towards
someone becoming less attentive with time. This creates an imbalance in the relationship. More is given
than can be returned. The present is not the here, and now; it plays in the past or a fictional dream
perception. However, this should not result in family members disconnecting from the loved one, even
with advanced dementia. Babies and toddlers themselves cannot speak yet can understand a lot – which
doesn't prevent us from communicating with them all the time. Instead, caring relatives are slowly
distancing themselves from the diagnosed individual. Leaving a family member because of the diagnosis is
not the right way to support their loved ones. Particularly focusing on communicational obstacles
between the patient and the nurse or family caregiver. The feeling of belonging and emotional exchange
is immensely important for their last chapter of life.
Keywords: Care givers, Cognitive Impairment, Dementia consequences, Memory Loss, Prevention,
Support
4
