Being in the Wave: Predeath Grief Experiences of Female Spousal Caregivers of Older Persons Living with Dementia and Multiple Chronic Conditions in the Community
Creators: Pollard, Loreen C.
Publisher: name: University of Alberta Library
Year: 2022

<p>Background: Female spousal caregivers (FSCGs) living in the community play a critical role in caring for older persons who live with dementia and multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). FSCGs experience multiple losses as their spouses’ cognitive and functional abilities gradually deteriorate prior to their physical death. Experiencing these significant losses while providing care to spouses with dementia can result in predeath grief, which is “the caregiver’s emotional and physical response to the perceived losses in a valued care recipient” (Lindauer &amp; Harvath, 2014, p. 2203). The phenomenon of predeath grief that FSCGs experience is rarely recognized, but it can have a significant impact on their physiological, psychological, and emotional health.<br>
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore predeath grief experiences in FSCGs living in the community and caring for older persons living with dementia and MCCs. The primary question guiding this research is, How do female spousal caregivers of older persons living with dementia and MCCs within the community describe their predeath grief experiences? The secondary research question is, What factors influence female spousal caregivers’ predeath grief experiences?<br>
Method: The author used an interpretive description approach. All of the study participants were from Alberta, Canada, and included 12 FSCGs of older persons living with dementia and MCCs in the community and three professional knowledge providers (PKPs). All participated in one-hour audio-taped telephone interviews. Concurrent data collection and data analysis involved the use of an iterative and inductive process. The findings are situated within nursing’s epistemic orientation, and the author identified themes and patterns in the data. The literature augmented the data analysis in that the findings are not mainly descriptive, but interpretive.<br>
Findings: The findings of the study focused on FSCGs’ experiences of predeath grief in the context of caregiving and based on the factors that influence predeath grief. The caregiving context includes life-changing experiences, the impacts of spouses’ dementia, living in a COVID-19 pandemic, and all-encompassing losses. The major overall theme of the experience of predeath grief is being in a wave, which includes suffering, loss of control, and moments of happiness. Suffering encompasses sadness, hopelessness, and loneliness. Loss of control is in relation to FSCGs’ sleep patterns, the busyness in their daily lives, and their spouses’ unexpected behaviors. Moments of happiness provided relief to FSCGs who respond negatively to predeath grief. FSCGs’ previous experience of death, fear of their spouses’ deaths, relationships with their spouses, support from others, and relationship with a Higher Power influence FSCGs’ predeath grief experiences.<br>
Conclusion: This study offers nurses and other professionals knowledge pertaining to FSCGs’ predeath grief experiences. Subsequently, this knowledge will positively impact both their interactions with FSCGs and the services that they offer them. The findings will inform future research, care, and policy changes that will result in the development of effective interventions and programs to better support FSCGs’ biopsychosocial and spiritual needs.</p>