How do daughters experience having a mother with dementia?

Abstract

There is a paucity of research on the experience of daughters of mothers with dementia, who do not live together. This research explores how daughters experience having a mother with dementia.Seven semi-structured interviews with daughters of mothers with dementia, were conducted. Interview accounts were analysed using thematic analysis.The main themes of Bewilderment and Fear, and Transformed Relationships were identified. The analysis indicated that the experiences described were, at times, distressing for the daughters and there was a perceived lack of professional help to support both mothers and daughters through the changes. However, the analysis also indicated that some daughters experienced transformative ways to make thoughtful new connections and aspects of the relationship with their mothers were described as having improved.It is proposed that it could be helpful if professional services recognised that having a mother with dementia can be a challenging experience, even if mothers and daughters do not live together. It is also proposed that services need to continue to be improved for both mothers and daughters.