The Transition to Caregiver in Advanced Alzheimer's Disease: From Emotional Connection to Care Responsibility—A Grounded Theory Approach.
Background: The progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) deeply affects not only the diagnosed person but also their close relatives, who are often called to take on the role of informal caregivers. This transition is frequently unplanned and emotionally complex, yet poorly understood in its deeper p...
| Publicado en: | Nursing Reports Vol. 15; no. 8; pp. 284 - 300 |
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| Autores principales: | , , , , , , , , |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
MDPI
Aug2025
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=187615782&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 187615782 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 2039439X EGNT jtl: Nursing Reports issn: 2039439X maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Aug2025 vid: 15 iid: 8 pid: 97109 pub: MDPI artinfo: ui: 187615782 187615782 187615782 10.3390/nursrep15080284 187615782 ppf: 284 ppct: 16 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: The Transition to Caregiver in Advanced Alzheimer's Disease: From Emotional Connection to Care Responsibility—A Grounded Theory Approach. aug: au: Dellafiore, Federica Diamanti, Orejeta Guardamagna, Luca Modena, Gloria Servi, Pierpaolo Rotondo, Donato Antonio Nania, Tiziana Saba, Andreina Artioli, Giovanna affil: Department of Life Health Sciences and Health Professions, Link Campus University, 00165 Rome, Italy sug: subj: Caregivers Psychosocial Factors Alzheimer's Disease Extended Family Psychosocial Factors Family Attitudes Caregiver Attitudes Human Grounded Theory Qualitative Studies Constant Comparative Method Adult Caring Social Identity Powerlessness Accountability Unconscious (Psychology) Commitment Emotional Exhaustion Risk Factors Support, Psychosocial Family Role Family Relations Purposive Sample Theoretical Sample Ambulatory Care Facilities Interviews Middle Age Semi-Structured Interview Male Female Aged Aged, 80 and Over Interview Guides Adaptation, Psychological Emotions Social Behavior Adult: 19-44 years Middle Aged: 45-64 years Aged: 65+ years Aged, 80 & over Male Female ab: Background: The progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) deeply affects not only the diagnosed person but also their close relatives, who are often called to take on the role of informal caregivers. This transition is frequently unplanned and emotionally complex, yet poorly understood in its deeper processual dimensions. This study aims to explore and theorize the transition experienced by a family member becoming the primary informal caregiver for a person with advanced AD. Methods: A qualitative study based on the Constructivist Grounded Theory according to Charmaz's approach (2006) was conducted. In-depth interviews were carried out with 10 participants who had become informal caregivers for a loved one with advanced AD. Data were analyzed using initial coding, focused coding, the constant comparative method, and theoretical coding. Results: Ten caregivers (mean age 39 years, range 35–54; nine females) of patients with advanced AD participated in the study. The analysis revealed a complex, emotionally intense caregiving experience marked by sacrifice, feelings of powerlessness, identity loss, and the necessity of sharing caregiving responsibilities. A core category emerged: A Silent and Certain Willingness to Care, representing the caregivers' deep, often unconscious commitment to prioritize the care of their loved ones above their own needs. Four interconnected phases characterized the caregiving process: (1) The Changing Daily Life—involving significant sacrifices in personal and social life; (2) Feeling Powerless—confronting the inevitable decline without means to alter the course; (3) Losing Oneself—experiencing physical and psychological exhaustion and a sense of identity loss; and (4) Sharing with Others—seeking external support to sustain caregiving. These findings highlight the evolving nature of becoming a caregiver and the enduring dedication that sustains this role despite the challenges. Conclusions: The progression of AD deeply transforms the lives of caregivers, who become co-sufferers and active participants in the disease's management. The results underscore the urgency of designing integrative care strategies—including psychological, social, and potentially technological support—that can enhance both patient outcomes and caregiver resilience. Grounded in real-world experiences, this study contributes to the broader neurodegeneration discourse by emphasizing caregiving as a critical factor in long-term disease management and therapeutic success. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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