Couple Meaning-Making and Dementia: Challenges to the Deficit Model

Abstract

By combining a relationship- and strengths-based approach, the article suggests that, with the onset of progressive cognitive impairment, verbal, nonverbal, and embodied exchanges can function as meaning-making processes for life-partner co-carers. These exchanges can sustain a sense of relatedness, which has been shown to increase wellbeing. The article identifies gaps in knowledge and practice limitations that result from the deficit approach to dementia research and care that currently dominates the field. Suggestions for future research and the development of interventions are included. In addition, the article challenges theoretical assumptions about meaning-making, arguing for a reexamination of dementia-affected couplehood processes.

Living Life and Doing Things Together: Collaborative Research With Couples Where One Partner Has a Diagnosis of Dementia

“…Learning strategies to manage communication and interaction. Reilly et al 2006;Boots et al 2016;Werthon & Monk, 2008;Bigonnesse et al 2014;Tanner et al 2008;Berry, 2014. McGovern, 2011 Avoiding conflicts Prevention of conflicts and sustaining positive communication.…”

“…McGovern, 2011 Avoiding conflicts Prevention of conflicts and sustaining positive communication. McGovern, 2011;Ingebretsen & Solem, 1998 Key words used for literature search: "couple", "spouses", "dementia", "wellbeing", "quality of life" "relationship" "everyday life" "home" and related concepts. …”

“…Lillekroken, Slettebo & Hauge, 2015. (Keady & Nolan, 2003;McGovern, 2011). This, in turn, highlights the need for new types of support with a dyadic approach and with the aim to support couples' efforts in sustaining everyday relationship quality and wellbeing.…”

A Home-Based Couple Management Guide for Couples Affected by Dementia (DemPower): A Protocol (Preprint)

“…It is important to consider person with dementia and their spouse/partner's needs from a coupleoriented approach in-order to sustain relationship, mutuality and adopt effective coping methods from the very early stages through the disease progression phases (Keady 1999, Hellström &Torres, 2013. Bearing in mind this gap in interventions for couples, an easy to use couple-management guide is developed and is underpinned by salutogenic [6], resource-oriented and strength based [7] approaches. The…”

Facing dementia as a we: Investigating couples’ challenges and communicative strategies for managing dementia

“…In particular, they may lack dementia-specific skills or training for meeting the complex and changing challenges and needs of families and couples living with dementia (see e.g. Cedersund, 2013;Kaplan & Berkman, 2011;McGovern, 2011;Melin Emilsson, 2013). In social work education, knowledge about an ageing population, including those living with dementia, is an under-prioritised topic.…”