Informal caregivers' perspectives on participation in a dementia rehabilitation programme

BackgroundThere is limited experience in combining interdisciplinary rehabilitation for persons with dementia and caregiver support.AimTo explore how informal caregivers perceive participation in a person-centred, multidimensional, interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme targeting community-dwelling older adults with dementia and their informal caregivers, and how the programme has influenced their everyday life.Material and MethodsFourteen informal caregivers, aged 45-84 years, participated in a qualitative interview following a randomised controlled pilot study. Transcribed interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe analysis resulted in seven categories and three themes: feeling challenged and boosted to face an uncertain future, perceiving supportive activities as sources of both joy and frustration in everyday life and finding relief in recognising their relative's former self.Conclusions and SignificanceCombining interdisciplinary rehabilitation for adults with dementia with education and support for caregivers was perceived as viable and valuable for the informal caregivers. They felt strengthened by the rehabilitation and better prepared for their uncertain future. However, participation also challenged everyday routines, but the benefits appeared to outweigh the strain.