Madsø KG, Weum R, Holthe T. Caregiver experience of the Norwegian manual for individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST): a qualitative study.
Aging Ment Health 2024:1-10. [PMID:
38356118 DOI:
10.1080/13607863.2024.2313725]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This research project investigated how family carers in Norway experienced delivering iCST, their need for supervision and the potential for co-occupation.
METHODS
Reflexive thematic analysis was used to understand the experiences of 11 carers using iCST for 8 wk. Three semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, including a pre-assessment of caregiver burden and a rating of dementia severity.
RESULTS
Most carers described the manual as self-instructive. Some felt overwhelmed when starting iCST. It was important to plan and individualise the sessions to the specific needs of the person with dementia. After delivering iCST the carers described new insights into the person with dementia's resources and challenges. Obstacles to doing iCST were related to the context, the manual or to specific challenges linked to the person with dementia or to the carer. Most participants described positive experiences, in which shared interaction, engagement and mastery were common.
CONCLUSION
When the carer understands the iCST programme as a tool and adapts it to the specific needs of the person with dementia then co-occupation and positive interactions happen. However, some carers would benefit from supervision and the iCST programme did not address all persons with dementia.
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