The Loneliness of the Long-distance Carer: The Experience of Primary Carers of Loved-Ones With Dementia

ABSTRACT

In 2015, 53 churchgoers, all of whom were or had recently been primary carers of persons with dementia, completed a questionnaire on the impact of their caring experience on their Christian faith, and of their faith on their caring experience. This current paper builds on earlier analyses of these data to provide focus on one of the main themes to emerge, loneliness. The many factors are explored that contribute to and compound feelings of loneliness as these respondents cope with their caring role often over many years. Some distinctive features are identified in the responses from carers living in rural locations, and areas are noted where further study with larger samples would be valuable.

KEYWORDS:

• Dementia
• loneliness
• carer
• Christian faith

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

The Reverend Dr Albert Jewell is a Visiting Research Fellow at Glyndŵr University. Address for correspondence: 63 Moor Grange View, Leeds, LS16 5BH. Email: [email protected]

The Reverend John Cole served as National Adviser (Unity-in-Mission) for the Church of England between 2003 and 2008. Address for correspondence: 5 Markham Way, Wrawby, Brigg, DN20 8TE. Email: [email protected]

Dr Paul Rolph is a Research Fellow at Glyndŵr University. Address for correspondence: 71 Andover Road, Winchester, SO22 6AU. Email: [email protected]

Jenny Rolph is a Research Fellow at Glyndŵr University. Address for correspondence: 71 Andover Road, Winchester, SO22 6AU. Email: [email protected]