An Exploration of the Role of Neighbours in Providing Support and Care to Older People Living with Dementia in their own Homes

Aneke, Austin

Abstract

People now live longer because of improved health and medical sciences. However, ageing if often accompanied by various health and social challenges. Research suggests that as families become more geographically dispersed, there has been a reduction in the availability of kin as primary caregivers for many older people, including those living with dementia. Therefore, there is a need for a better understanding of the complexities of the delivery of support to older adults in the community. While much research has focused on informal care provided by kin, little attention has been paid to the nature of support delivered by non-kin such as neighbours, resulting in their support being relatively overlooked.
This study contends that non-kin care is not adequately understood, resulting in a gap in understanding the intricacies of informal care giving. The objective therefore is to enhance understanding of the experiences of support provision by neighbours to older adults aged 65 plus, living with dementia in their own homes and particularly in situations where family members are not available. Focusing explicitly on people living with dementia, this research adds to our understanding of the relationships between neighbours providing and receiving informal support.
Drawing on the principles of person-centred care, applied to qualitative framework, I investigated the experiences of neighbour caregivers in providing care and support to older people living with dementia in their own homes. I gathered data using semi-structured interviews. Six older people living with dementia and seven neighbours with experience of supporting older people living with dementia were interviewed. The data was analysed using thematic analysis and themes identified show the existence of pre-care giving relationships; care giving motivated by compassion, community service, and friendship; varied, stressful and complex support system that sometimes leads to tensions; selfless and non-transactional relationships that emanate because of living alone and loneliness. I argue for a better understanding of the non-kin neighbour dementia support system and to incorporate our understanding into care planning in the community. These findings have implications for policy making, social work practice, and the sustainability of non-kin support relationships.

Citation

Aneke, A. (2023). An Exploration of the Role of Neighbours in Providing Support and Care to Older People Living with Dementia in their own Homes. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jul 24, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 2, 2023
• Keywords: Neighbours, Dementia, Support, Care, Older People, Community
• Award Date: Aug 2, 2023