Centre for Policy on Ageing



Living on the threshold — the spatial experience of living alone with dementia
Author(s)	Lorna de Witt, Jenny Ploeg, Margaret Black
Journal title	Dementia: the international journal of social research and practice, vol 8, no 2, May 2009
Pages	pp 263-292
Source	http://www.dem.sagepub.com
Keywords	Older women ; Living alone ; Adjustment ; Dementia ; Qualitative Studies ; Canada.
Annotation	Fourteen audio-taped open-ended interviews were conducted with eight older women with dementia in Ontario, Canada on the meaning of living alone. Data were analysed using an adaptation of van Manen's method. Heidegger's philosophy informed interpretation of the findings though the theme "living on the threshold". The study findings deepen understanding of "space" and "place" in the experience of living alone with dementia. Participants sought the middle ground of dialectical tensions with in the threshold space and shared insights about their spatial experience of: being alone, being there, being out, and keeping out. These older women risked losing their threshold space when admitting to mistakes as their illness progressed. The authors conclude with examples of how this spatial interpretation may inform and improve communication with and care of older people in similar circumstances. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-090702208 A
Classmark	BD: K8: DR: EA: 3DP: 7S
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.