One body, three hands and two minds: A case study of the intertwined occupations of an older couple after a stroke

Changing everyday activities of couples in late life: Converging and keeping up

“…Co-performance is in line with the processes described as dyadic coping of couples, in which couples pool their resources (Berg & Upchurch, 2007). Doing things closely together was also found in studies among dementia couples and a stroke couple, and could be experienced as maintenance of couplehood (Hellström et al, 2005;Van Nes et al, 2009).…”

“…Another study showed that doing things together was perceived positively by both spouses as something that contributed towards preserving couplehood (Hellström, Nolan, & Lundh, 2005). A qualitative study exploring the everyday activities of an older couple after a stroke demonstrated that the couple's everyday activities were fully intertwined: the couple acted as one entity in timing, coordinating, balancing, orchestrating and assisting in their everyday activities, and doing things together had various meanings (Van Nes, Runge, & Jonsson, 2009). We found one prospective three-year qualitative study that investigated activities and roles related to meals in spousal male care partners and their wives with dementia.…”

Participation in everyday life and life satisfaction in persons with stroke and their caregivers 3–6 months after onset

“…A dyadic perspective is supported in the results of qualitative studies showing that a stroke affects the everyday activities of the dyad with different patterns of mutual influence and interdependency (15,16) and where activities in everyday life are enmeshed between the person with stroke and their caregiver (17).…”

Changes in daily occupations and the meaning of work for three women caring for relatives post-stroke

“…Another study (11) found that both partners' occupational patterns changed after the stroke, leading to a struggle to maintain reciprocity. Finally, Van Nes et al (12) revealed that occupations of both partners are inseparable and orchestrated.…”