Chandler, Rebecca (2021) Recognising, assessing & treating pain in dementia: the experiences of caregivers. PhD thesis, University of Greenwich.

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Abstract

Background & Aim: Pain presents a major challenge for people with dementia (PwD)and their caregivers. This thesis aimed to investigate the experiences of informal caregivers (IFCs) and care home(CH) staff supporting PwD, exploring how they recognise, assess, and treat pain among this population.

Method: This thesis is composed of two empirical studies. Study 1undertook 18 interviews, exploring IFCs and CH staffs’ experiences relating to pain among PwD. Study 2implemented a mixed methods survey, expanding findings from Study 1, recruiting 115 IFCs, CH staff and nursing students. The survey consisted of open-ended questions exploring pain recognition and pain practices, and a quantitative component in the form of The Pain Knowledge and Beliefs Questionnaire (PKBQ) (Zwakhalen et al., 2007).

Findings: Qualitative data from Study 1 and 2 generated four main themes: Deciphering Dementia; Relieving Suffering; Autonomy vs. Dependence; and The Pain of Caring. Physical pain and its treatment were not a primary concern for caregivers. It was overshadowed by competing needs, normalised, and complicated by dementia-related changes, noncompliance, and uncertainty about pain medication. Pain was recognised and assessed informally, through individualised approaches, dyadic relationships, and interpretation of bodily narratives. A reliance on simple pain medication and non-drug approaches was described. Caregivers’ roles, and responsibilities for pain identification and treatment were delineated by a hierarchy.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dementia care, caregivers, pain management,
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Health Sciences (HEA)
Last Modified:	13 Dec 2022 10:27
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/38246

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