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“The biggest problem we’ve ever had to face”: how families manage driving cessation with people with dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2015

Jacki Liddle ,
Amelia Tan ,
Phyllis Liang ,
Sally Bennett ,
Shelley Allen ,
David C. Lie  and
Nancy A. Pachana
Jacki Liddle*
Affiliation:
UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Amelia Tan
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Phyllis Liang
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Sally Bennett
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Shelley Allen
Affiliation:
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 4 Degrees, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
David C. Lie
Affiliation:
Metro South Older Persons Mental Health Services, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nancy A. Pachana
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Jacki Liddle, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Herston 4029, Queensland, Australia. Phone: +61-7-3346-5583; Fax: +61-7-3346-5509. Email: j.liddle@uq.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background:

It is recognized that people with dementia are likely to need to stop driving at some point following diagnosis. Driving cessation can lead to negative outcomes for people with dementia and their family caregivers (FC), who often experience family conflict and tension throughout the process. Family experiences surrounding driving cessation have begun to be explored but warrant further examination.

Methods:

Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders, including 5 retired drivers with dementia, 12 FC, and 15 health professionals (HP). Data were analyzed inductively to explore the needs and experiences of people with dementia and FC.

Results:

The data revealed a range of possible interactions between people with dementia and FC. These were organized into a continuum of family dynamics according to levels of collaboration and conflict: in it together, behind the scenes, active negotiations, and at odds. At the in it together end of the continuum, people with dementia and FC demonstrated collaborative approaches and minimal conflict in managing driving cessation. At the at odds end, they experienced open conflict and significant tension in their interactions. Contextual factors influencing family dynamics were identified, along with the need for individualized approaches to support.

Conclusions:

The continuum of family dynamics experienced during driving cessation may help clinicians better understand and respond to complex family needs. Interventions should be tailored to families’ distinctive needs with consideration of their unique contextual factors influencing dynamics, to provide sensitive and responsive support for families managing driving cessation.

Keywords

qualitativecarersfamily dynamicscommunity mobilityadjustment
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 109 - 122
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

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