How close family members contribute to the occupational experiences of their relatives with dementia in long-term residential care: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Introduction: This research examines how close family members consider themselves to contribute to the activities, routines and occupational identity of their elderly relatives with dementia who reside in long-term residential care, and the factors that support or challenge their involvement. Method: Five participants engaged in a single semi-structured interview, which were analysed utilising interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Close family members contributed to their relatives’ occupational experiences by being vigilant and advocating to rectify perceived deficits in care home staff’s provision of activity; providing their relatives with personalised, hands-on support to access more frequent and higher-quality opportunities for occupational participation and engagement; and maintaining their relatives’ occupational identity. Conclusion: Close family members promote frequent opportunities for meaningful occupational participation and engagement for their relatives, and potentially mitigate the extent of occupational injustice that their relatives experience. Accordingly, health and social care staff should enhance close family members’ efforts by developing constructive partnerships with close family members and providing close family members with caregiver training.