ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of the present review was to critically evaluate empirical evidence regarding the needs and experiences of children who have a parent with young onset dementia (YOD).
Methods: A systematic search of five databases was carried out and the resulting 16 studies were reviewed using a meta-ethnographic approach.
Results: Three main themes arose from the data: ‘Dementia Impact”, which describes how the child experiences the deterioration in their parent and changes to relationships; “Psychological Impact”, comprising the child’s private emotional experiences and the psychological consequences of changes in roles; and “Practical Impact”, detailing the ways in which children adapt their lives in response to parental YOD, and children’s needs for support.
Conclusions: These themes synthesize the existing literature and produce a line of argument explaining the experience of children whose parents have YOD.
Clinical Implications: Information and policies regarding YOD should take account of the experiences of patients’ children and should include targeted support for children of parents with YOD.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Supplementary material
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