若年性認知症の人とその家族介護者の思いの分析

Feelings of a client with early-onset dementia and a family care giver

要旨：本研究は，若年性認知症の人とその配偶者に面接を行い，語りの分析から介護生活をどのように意識し意味づけしているかを整理し，在宅生活支援のあり方について考察することを目的とした．分析の結果，夫は妻との確執があることを語った．一方，妻は夫を患者であるかのように評価してしまう自らの介護態度に悩んでいた．この感情の不一致が自宅でのトラブル発生の要因であると考えた．また，夫婦は，不満や不安を抱えながらも希望を絶やさず，認知症という病と向き合っていることが明らかとなった．デイケアでは，認知症の人と家族介護者のニーズを把握し，自宅でのトラブル要因を分析しながら，家族も含めた支援を行うことが重要であると考える．

　The purpose of this study was to improve support for clients with early-onset dementia and family care givers in day care facilities through narrative analyses. We interviewed a man with early-onset dementia and his wife, and analyzed how they were interpreting their own care. We found that the client felt discord with his wife, and his wife worried about her own care attitude due to her consideration of him as a patient rather than a spouse. We regarded a discrepancy of feelings between them as a reason for their difficulties at home. The results indicate that they positively confronted “dementia” although they were anxious and dissatisfied. Therefore, it is important to understand clients' and family caregivers' needs and provide support in day care facilities by analyzing the reasons for their troubles at home.