Life Experience of Seventh-Day Adventist Church Members in Caring for Their Parents Who Suffer from Alzheimer’s Dementia

Abstract

Introduction: Previous phenomenological studies explain that family member faced many consequences in caring for family members with Alzheimer’s Dementia at home. The consequences are in the form of the impact of financial, social and psychological pressure. Considering such consequences, families especially in Eastern cultures will continue to care for their elderly at home for reasons of compassion or retribution toward parents even though they feel frustrated and burdened. The purpose of this study is to describe the life experience of Seventh-day Adventist church members in caring for their parent who suffer from Alzheimer’s Dementia. Method: This qualitative study is using phenomenological design. There are 3 participants are selected who are fit with the inclusion criterions: immediate family member, seventh-day Adventist church member, live together with their Alzheimer’s Dementia parent who suffer at least 2 years of dementia, and agree to sign inform consent after the full explanation of the study. Data are gathered using semi structured face to face interview in participant’s home setting. Data than transcribed in to world document and analyzed using Cresswel step by step content analysis. Result: There are five negative categories of family member experiences in taking care of their Alzheimer’s Dementia parent: 1) physical abuse, 2) psychological abuse, 3) social limitation, 4) spiritual distress, and 5) knowledge deficit. It also found that there are several coping mechanism or adaptation made by family member in caring their Alzheimer Dementia parent: 1) family members are motivated to learn more about Alzheimer Dementia, 2) spiritual growth that they pray more often and surrendered to God, 3) increase understanding toward elderly. Discussion: Based on the result of the study, all the informants experienced pressures in all holistic aspects of life. If they are not able to cope with the pressure, illness may be arrived and made the family situation become worse. Therefore, professional health care must provide support to the family who take care of their Alzheimer Dementia parent.