Carers’ experiences of the transition of people with dementia into residential aged care: A narrative analysis
Abstract
This study represents the experiences of informal carers of people with dementia concerning periods of transition into formal care. Retrospective interviews with 18 carers identified the key narratives: ‘This is why I had to’, ‘They said I need to’ and ‘It was a last resort’. These indicate a sense of carers’ responsibility in decision making and the undesirable assumptions around the move. However, the narrative of ‘I made the right decision’ was common after transition. Findings represent the nuanced carer experience around transitions, providing insight into the experiences of families living with dementia and informing future care planning.
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Affirmations from others and reflective practices such as diary-keeping helped caregivers reaffirm the necessity of transitions.
“Affirmations from others and reflective practices such as diary-keeping helped caregivers reaffirm the necessity of transitions (Wright et al., 2024).”
From Mind the gap: a systematic review of barriers, facilitators, and experiences of care transitions for people living with dementia and their informal caregivers. (2026) · cites this paper as Wright et al., 2024
Poorly timed or unplanned transitions, such as emergency hospital admissions or rushed discharges, intensified anxiety and undermined caregivers' sense of control.
“Poorly timed or unplanned transitions, such as emergency hospital admissions or rushed discharges, intensified anxiety and undermined caregivers’ sense of control (Sawan et al., 2021; Wright et al., 2024).”
From Mind the gap: a systematic review of barriers, facilitators, and experiences of care transitions for people living with dementia and their informal caregivers. (2026) · cites this paper as Wright et al., 2024
When health care professionals recommended a care transition themselves, it sometimes relieved the emotional burden for families, helping to validate their decisions and reduce feelings of guilt.
“Importantly, when health care professionals recommended a care transition themselves, it sometimes relieved the emotional burden for families, helping to validate their decisions and reduce feelings of guilt (Wright et al., 2024).”
From Mind the gap: a systematic review of barriers, facilitators, and experiences of care transitions for people living with dementia and their informal caregivers. (2026) · cites this paper as Wright et al., 2024
Inadequate support for the facility selection process, especially regarding respite care, frequently led to exhaustion and guilt.
“Inadequate support for this process, especially regarding respite care, frequently led to exhaustion and guilt (Gilmore-Bykovskyi et al., 2021; Wright et al., 2024).”
From Mind the gap: a systematic review of barriers, facilitators, and experiences of care transitions for people living with dementia and their informal caregivers. (2026) · cites this paper as Wright et al., 2024
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Greene, L., Brain, J., Watkins, P., Kafadar, A. H., Sabatini, S., Blundell, B., Bothe, E., Harper, K., Hersh, D., Morrisby, C., et al. (2026) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/gnaf275 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
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Yeandle, S. (2024) · International Journal of Care and Caring · doi:10.1332/23978821y2024d000000074
- Authors
- Wright, F., Breheny, M., & Gibson, R.
- Affiliations
- Massey University (NZ)
- Victoria University of Wellington (NZ)
- Venue
- International Journal of Care and Caring
- Publisher
- Bristol University Press
- Published
- 2024-11
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 627-642
- ISSN
- 2397-8821 (ISSN-L)
- 2397-883X
- OpenAlex
- W4376604405
- Cited by
- 3
- References
- 66
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1
- FWCI
- 1.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Care and Caring (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Keywords
- dementia, informal caregivers, caregiver experiences, family caregivers, care decision-making, care planning
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