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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Receiving a diagnosis of dementia
— the experience over time | | Author(s) | Myrra Vernooij-Dassen, Els Derksen, Philip Scheltens |
| Journal title | Dementia: the international journal of social research and practice, vol 5, no 3, August 2006 |
| Pages | pp 397-410 |
| Source | http://www.dem.sagepub.com |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Attitude ; Qualitative Studies ; Longitudinal surveys ; Netherlands. |
| Annotation | There are strong opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of a disclosure of dementia to the individuals affected, but little is known about how they and their families understand and respond to this information. This article reports a study funded by the Dutch Alzheimer Association, which examines the impact of receiving a diagnosis of dementia, by comparing descriptions of its impact at 2 weeks with descriptions explored at 12 weeks. Interviews were undertaken on two occasions with 18 couples, one of whom had received a diagnosis of dementia, the other being a family member. The interviews revealed a gradual process of realisation of what the diagnosis meant, resulting in important subtle changes in understandings of dementia and personal relationships. Disclosure of dementia occurs at one point in time, but its impact should be seen as a process. Suggestions are made on how the process of diagnosis and its sharing may enhance family partnerships and social relationships through support of both individuals with dementia and families. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-060918213 A |
| Classmark | EA: LK7: DP: 3DP: 3J: 76H |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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