Someone I love has Alzheimer's: The impact of caring for a 'Special Someone' who has a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: A review of the literature

This paper discusses a review of literature related to caring for a loved one who has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The review is focused through a conceptual framework that encompasses 13 key constructs: Living with dementia: transitioning; Transitioning to the role of caregiver; Transitional change; Aspects of impact: stress response; Aspects of impact: loss and grieving; The ripple effect; Support; Barriers to support; Coping strategies; Coping with abusive behaviour; Maintaining dignity in the midst of chaos; When it is time; and End of life. Beginning with a glimpse into how life unfolds for the care receiver, the discussion focuses on the impact of lived experience and culminates with the promise from the medical world to patients and families, that they will not be abandoned.