Reciprocal relations: The recognition and co-construction of caring with Alzheimer's disease

Living Better With Dementia: Strengths-Based Social Work Practice and Dementia Care

“…Moreover, practitioners with a specialty practice in dementia are not immune to the disease, either in themselves or their loved ones. Sharing one's personal knowledge of the illness can lend credibility to the practitioner in the eyes of the affected family (Graham & Bassett, 2006). For example, caregiver support groups led by a practitioner who discloses a personal relationship to the disease are seen as more desirable by group members (Alzheimer's Association, 2014).…”

“…Yet another component of the social work approach to care can lead to new outcomes in dementia. Use of self, for example the disclosure of a personal tie to dementia, can promote trust between the clients and the worker (Graham & Bassett, 2006;Heydt & Sherman, 2005).…”

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

“…We-ness can sustain a modified self as the intact partner becomes the custodian of the other's self by making decisions for him or her; representing him or her to the family, friends, and public, including medical personnel; reminding others of who the partner was in his or her prime, etc. (Graham & Bassett, 2006;Perry & O'Connor, 2002). When the subjective self of the cognitively affected partner is jeopardized, the practices of couplehood and care embody the intersubjective self, thus mitigating the greatest area of loss reported by those affected by the disease, the loss of self (Alzheimer's Association, 2009;Kaplan, 2001).…”

“…Instead, the dominant narrative of multiple losses-of speech, coherence, sociability, etc.-can be challenged by a new tale introducing opportunities for growth in areas based on relatedness, including adaptability, negotiation, and acceptance (Graham & Bassett, 2006). Moreover, the experience of care can be interpreted beyond burden and burnout.…”

“…For example, developing new ways of relating through the acquisition of new roles, such as caregiver, bill payer, cook, etc., and developing new ways of communicating, often based on nonverbal exchanges as a result of loss of verbal ability, can enhance couple wellbeing. Together, new roles and new ways of relating suggest the coconstruction of new selves (Graham & Bassett, 2006). The process of ongoing self recreation can strengthen intimate couple relationships, even when they are affected by chronic illness (Gardner, 2008;Rolland, 1994).…”