Family experience of young-onset dementia: the perspectives of spouses and children

Abstract

Objectives

Although young-onset dementia (YOD) affects the whole family system, this population is still under-represented in literature, and no progress in care provision has been made. Hence, additional evidence is necessary to understand how family and social relationships are affected by YOD and care challenges, as to provide recommendations for clinical practice and service improvement from a family perspective.

Method

Family carers were recruited via one memory clinic and the local Alzheimer’s Associations in Italy. Semi-structured interviews explored their experiences with YOD, the impact of the condition on their lives, family and social relationships, and the support and care they received. Transcripts were coded by three researchers and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Thirty-eight interviews were conducted with 26 spouses and 12 adult children. Three themes emerged: 1) Problems around diagnosis, 2) Lack of post-diagnostic support, and 3) Living with YOD as a family. Overall, problems occurred across the dementia pathway. Without appropriate support, it was difficult for families to adjust to living with YOD and to the associated changes in family roles and relationships.

Conclusions

Since optimal care depends on good family relationships, better support for families in the adaptation to condition would likely benefit patient care while ensuring social inclusion and health equity for vulnerable groups.

Keywords:

• Young onset dementia
• patients
• spouses
• adult children
• caregivers
• family relations
• delayed diagnosis
• adaptation
• psychological
• social isolation
• delivery of health care

Acknowledgements

We would like to express sincere gratitude to the local Alzheimer Associations of Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Bari, Napoli, and all the families for their participation in the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article. This research received no external funding.