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Adjusting to Mealtime Change within the Context of Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2012

M. Rebecca Genoe ,
Heather H. Keller ,
Lori Schindel Martin ,
Sherry L. Dupuis ,
Holly Reimer ,
Carly Cassolato  and
Gayle Edward
M. Rebecca Genoe*
Affiliation:
University of Regina
Heather H. Keller
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
Lori Schindel Martin
Affiliation:
Ryerson University
Sherry L. Dupuis
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo
Holly Reimer
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
Carly Cassolato
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
Gayle Edward
Affiliation:
University of Guelph
*
*Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to / La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: M. Rebecca Genoe, Ph.D. Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies University of Regina 3737 Wascana Parkway Regina, SK S4S 0A2 ([email protected])
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Abstract

Little is known about how persons with dementia and their care partners respond to mealtime changes that occur throughout the dementia journey. By interviewing 27 persons living with dementia and their 28 care partners, we explored the meaning and experience of change surrounding mealtimes. Participants adjusted to mealtime change by adapting to an evolving life, as a result of a dynamic process of becoming aware of change, attaching meaning to change, and responding to change. Seminal events compounded by a sense of things being different triggered awareness of mealtime changes. Meaning was attached to mealtime changes, observed through emotions experienced and diverse strategies developed to support mealtime values. Responding to change ranged from resisting, to being in a holding pattern, to transforming and adapting. Understanding how individuals and families adjust to mealtime changes, and the strategies they develop, provides critical insights for supporting families throughout the dementia journey.

Résumé

On sait peu de ce qui concerne la façon dont les personnes atteintes de démence et leurs partenaires en soins réagissent aux changements qui se produisent au moment des repas tout au long du passage à travers la démence. En interrogeant 27 personnes atteintes de démence, ainsi que leurs 28 partenaires en soins, nous avons exploré la signification et l’expérience de changements qu’impliquent les repas. Les participants se sont adaptés aux changements de repas en s’adaptant à une vie en évolution, comme résultat d’un processus dynamique de prise de conscience du changement, en attachant un sens au changement, et réagissant aux changements. Les évènements séminals, aggravés par une perception des changements, ont déclenché la sensibilisation de changements au moment des repas. On a attaché une certaine signification aux changements à l’heure des repas observés à travers des émotions éprouvées et des stratégies diverses que l’on a développées pour soutenir les valeurs associées aux repas. La réponse au changement est une question de stades, allant d’y résister, à d’être dans un circuit d’attente, à la transformation et à l’adaptation. Comprendre comment les individus et les familles s’adaptent aux changements au moment des repas, et les stratégies qu’ils qui en résultent pour en venir à bout, fournit des aperçus cruciaux pour soutenir les familles tout au long du voyage à travers la démence.

Keywords

maladie d’Alzheimerdémencethéorie fondéeheures du repasfamilleAlzheimer’s diseasedementiagrounded theorymealtimesfamily
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 31 , Issue 2 , June 2012 , pp. 173 - 194
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2012

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