Inappropriate sexual behaviour in dementia: The lived experience of caregivers

Part 1: Literature review - Aim: To review the literature and examine factors which have been identified to contribute to the job satisfaction of formal caregivers working within dementia care. Method: 11 papers were included in the review following a systematic search of three databases. Results: Factors found to be associated with job satisfaction in caregivers include Person Centred Care, setting type, caregiver distress, support and exposure to aggression. Several methodological limitations of the reviewed studies were noted; namely a lack of consensus on the definition of job satisfaction and a wide variety of measures utilised. Conclusion: Due to the ambiguity of what constitutes job satisfaction precision regarding predictive factors was difficult; this is also reflected in wider healthcare literature. Future research with a qualitative design may elicit what job satisfaction means to caregivers working within dementia care. Part 2: Research report - Aim: This study set out to explore the experience of informal caregiver’s living and caring for someone with dementia who presents with Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour (ISB). Method: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore the lived experience of two caregivers. Results: Analysis across both cases revealed divergence and convergence. Three super-ordinate themes were identified: ‘What the behaviour means to me’, ‘The change in our relationship’ and ‘Making sense of outsiders’. Both caregivers seemed to adopt coping strategies such as minimisation and distancing their spouse from ISB by attributing the behaviour to dementia. Conclusion: This study provided a unique glimpse into the lives of spousal caregivers experiencing ISB and the importance of raising awareness of this behaviour. Further exploration is required to build on the current study and develop this under-researched topic. Part 3: Critical appraisal - A reflective account of the whole research process which highlights key aspects of the journey.