Caring for a Memory-Impaired Spouse:

Abstract

Since caregiving is often viewed as an extension of the female's traditional role of caring, it could easily be assumed that women would have the advantage in the role of primary caregiver to an impaired partner. Research however does not support this. Rather, studies have found that women, and particularly wives, who are caring for a memory impaired relative have repeatedly identified greater distress in the caregiving role than their male counterparts. Unfortunately, to date, the differential reactions of women are poorly understood. This limits effective intervention. The purpose of this article then, is to begin to develop a framework for conceptualizing the gendered impact of caring for a memory-impaired partner in order to better understand women's, and particularly wives', reaction. Specifically, using a relational perspective the experience of living with a memory impaired husband will be explored.