Suicidal Ideation among Older Family Caregivers for a Person with Dementia

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This pilot study aimed to describe the phenomenon of suicidal ideation among caregivers who were aged 60 and over and who provided care for a person with dementia.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted, using a descriptive method. Semi-structured interviews were administered to caregivers who had or were having suicidal thoughts whilst caring for a relative with dementia.

Results

Six caregivers were interviewed. Four caregivers reported experiencing active suicidal ideation whilst caregiving. Two subjects mentioned wishing for the death of their care recipient. While saturation criteria were not all met themes regarding suicidal ideation types and developmental contexts emerged. Findings suggest that family conflicts, placement difficulties, exhaustion, feelings of injustice, and loneliness contributed to the development of suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Suicidal distress can emerge from the dementia caregiving context and these findings highlight a complex phenomenon among caregivers. The understanding of caregivers’ suicidal distress is of great importance to guide screening and intervention efforts. Research is needed to keep the implication and well-being of older caregivers.

Clinical implications

Screening efforts should consider the caregiving context as a conducive environment for suicidal distress and clinicians could use this knowledge to provide specific interventions to distressed carers.

KEYWORDS:

• Suicidal ideation
• distress
• caregivers
• dementia
• older adults

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the caregivers who accepted to offer their time for this study and all the community organizations who assisted with recruitment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was made possible by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).