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"We're all thrown in the same boat...": A qualitative analysis of peer support in dementia care

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Dame Louise Robinson, Dr Lynne Corner

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).


Abstract

Peer support is well established in fields such as the disability movement and mental health and is increasingly recognised as one way of enabling support by and for people with a diagnosis of dementia and their immediate carers. It was central to the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) for England, when 40 demonstration sites were established. This mixed-methods study included in-depth qualitative interviews with people living with dementia (n=101) and staff/stakeholders (n=82) at 8 of the 40 sites. Data analysis was a five-stage process: coding framework developed (using 25 transcripts); further development of the framework (using a further 70 transcripts); development of emerging themes; modelling of themes and verification of models based on the entire data set. Peer support had positive emotional and social impact that was rooted in identification with others, a commonality of experience and reciprocity of support. There was also a contrast between the quality of peer support and support from professionals. This emphasises the significance of lived experience and promoting a strength-based approach to interpersonal support that is enabling and challenges a deficit approach to understanding dementia.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Keyes SE, Clarke CL, Wilkinson H, Alexjuk EJ, Wilcockson J, Robinson L, Reynolds J, McClelland S, Corner L, Cattan M

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Dementia

Year: 2016

Volume: 15

Issue: 4

Pages: 560-577

Print publication date: 01/07/2016

Online publication date: 17/04/2014

Acceptance date: 10/02/2014

Date deposited: 08/09/2016

ISSN (print): 1471-3012

ISSN (electronic): 1741-2684

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1471301214529575

DOI: 10.1177/1471301214529575


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
025/0058Department of Health Policy Research Programme

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