Dementia and the support to caregivers - based on care managers assessment handling routines in eldercare : A qualitative study in two municipalities

The aim of this study was to understand how care managers are handling caregivers´ self-determination and participation in the assessment routines regarding needs and support. The study has focused on elderly care and caregivers living in a relationship with a partner diagnosed with dementia. Furthermore the study tried to understand the care managers´ views of complications with caregiver support and the priority between physical and mental needs. In this qualitative study vignettes were used as a framework in focus group interviews in two municipalities. The result was divided in the following themes: Self-determination, Complications, The individuals´ needs in the center, Physical and mental needs. The results were analyzed by the theoretical framework using self-determination, Scott´s institutional pillars with the regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive elements and Bowlby´s attachment theory. The results in this study shows that several factors have impact on caregivers´ self-determination and participation. These complicating factors are presented both at individual and organizational level