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Cognitive impairment and its consequences in everyday life: experiences of people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and their relatives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2015

Maria M. Johansson Open the ORCID record for Maria M. Johansson [Opens in a new window] ,
Jan Marcusson  and
Ewa Wressle
Maria M. Johansson*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Geriatrics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
Jan Marcusson
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Geriatrics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
Ewa Wressle
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Geriatrics, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Maria M. Johansson, Occupational Therapist, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. Phone: +46 10 103 80 30; Fax: +46 10 103 41 41. Email: maria.m.johansson@liu.se.
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Abstract

Background:

The aim of this study was to explore experiences of cognitive impairment, its consequences in everyday life and need for support in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia and their relatives.

Methods:

A qualitative approach with an explorative design with interviews was chosen. The participants included five people with MCI and eight people with mild dementia and their relatives. All participants were recruited at a geriatric memory clinic in Sweden. The Grounded Theory method was used.

Results:

The following categories emerged: noticing cognitive changes; changed activity patterns; coping strategies; uncertainty about own ability and environmental reactions; support in everyday life; support from the healthcare system; consequences in everyday life for relatives; and support for relatives. The main findings were that people with MCI and dementia experienced cognitive changes that could be burdensome and changed activity patterns. Most of them, however, considered themselves capable of coping on their own. The relatives noticed cognitive changes and activity disruptions to a greater extent and tried to be supportive in everyday life. Degree of awareness varied and lack of awareness could lead to many problems in everyday life.

Conclusions:

Perceived cognitive impairment and its consequences in everyday life were individual and differed among people with MCI or dementia and their relatives. Thus, healthcare professionals must listen to both people with cognitive impairment and their relatives for optimal individual care planning. Support such as education groups and day care could be more tailored towards the early stages of dementia.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s diseaseactivities of daily livingqualitative research
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 27 , Issue 6 , June 2015 , pp. 949 - 958
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

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