"Man gör ju vad man kan för varandra" : Makars roll i en parrelation med en demenssjuk partner

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to explore spouses' roles in a relationship with a partner with dementia and to understand spouses' situations at home. The study was focusing on gender roles and authority in relationships between the spousal caregivers and their partners with dementia. The method used for this study was qualitative content analysis and the data was collected from seven interviews with spousal caregivers about their roles as partners of people with dementia. By critically examining Twiggs three models, carers as resources, caregivers as co-workers and carers as co-clients, we have been able to visualize how spouses can look upon their role to their partners with dementia. A fourth model has been added to a modification of Twiggs models, because spouse's roles didn't fit into any of Twiggs already existing models. There is not a big gender difference about spousal care for a partner, and the caregivers are in a highly extent affected of the situation with a partner with dementia. Spouses role can fit in with partners as carers, which is a fourth model added to Twiggs original three models.