WASHINGTON, D.C.: Interlacing the stories of those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease is a research project that has strong personal significance for University of the Sunshine Coast PhD student and clinical counselor Judy Boyland.
Mrs Boyland, who cared for her father for more than five years after his diagnosis with the disease, is keen to highlight the challenges faced by carers by providing them with an opportunity to discuss their experiences.
“I’m conducting in-depth interviews with those who are caring for loved ones with the progressive disempowerment that accompanies the cognitive and physical degeneration and loss of function caused by Alzheimer’s,” she said.
“My research will help form a narrative landscape, weaving together the many voices of a lived experience.”
Mrs Boyland – who lists spinning and weaving among her hobbies – has interviewed 20 carers as part of the qualitative study, with participants ranging in age from 19 to 95. She said there was no typical caregiver for a person with Alzheimer’s…