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Research Article| Volume 12, ISSUE 4, P202-208, August 1998

Communication patterns between caregivers and their spouses with Alzheimer's disease: A case study

  • Karen A. Roberto
    Correspondence
    Address reprint requests to Karen A. Roberto, PhD, Professor and Director, Center for Gerontology (0426), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
    Affiliations
    Center for Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    College of Health and Human Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA
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  • Judith M. Richter
    Affiliations
    Center for Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    College of Health and Human Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA
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  • Donna J. Bottenberg
    Affiliations
    Center for Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    College of Health and Human Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA
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  • Sean Campbell
    Affiliations
    Center for Gerontology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    College of Health and Human Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA
    Search for articles by this author
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(98)80025-3
Communication patterns between caregivers and their spouses with Alzheimer's disease: A case study
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      This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
      The purpose of this study was to examine the style of communication that takes place between couples in their home environment in relationship to the abilities of the spouse with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the amount of stress and burden experienced by the caregiver. Three styles of communication emerged: parallel, questioning, and direct. Caregivers engaging in parallel communications reported greater stress and time burden than any other caregivers. Nurses need to be observant of the communication patterns that exist between caregivers and their spouses with AD and help caregivers develop successful communicative strategies that enhance interactions with their spouses.
      An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 1996 meeting of the Society for Education and Research in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Nashville, TN.
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      Article info

      Footnotes

      This study was funded by the Alzheimer's Association/National Association of Retired Federal Employees Pilot Research Grant program.

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9417(98)80025-3

      Copyright

      © 1998 W.B. Saunders Company. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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