Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Anthropology

Supervisor

Darnell, Regna

2nd Supervisor

Wylie, Lloy

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

Focused on the experiences of Indigenous female caregivers for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (ADOD); this study uses Indigenous methodology of oral storytelling to examine systemic barriers of navigating the Canadian healthcare system. Non-Indigenous healthcare providers who care for families and individuals affected by dementia also share their experiences to give insight to culturally safe care and what institutional supports are needed for frontline staff to achieve this.

Indigenous caregivers were all Anishanaabe and Métis who share stories about caring for their male loved ones. Through their stories of strength and resiliency, the importance of family, intergenerational kinship and caregiving with minimal supports are discussed. Themes of jurisdictional barriers, continuity of care, cultural safety, discrimination, self-determination for community programming and funding are examined. Supports and services for seniors with regular substance use is a gap in healthcare that is discussed as a case study because healthcare providers are not addressing it because of ageism and a lack of education. This creates barriers for Indigenous and non-Indigenous seniors for accessing services and supports.

Throughout the study, recommendations are provided based on the stories of caregivers and health care providers to inform practice. This shifts the onus from caregivers to healthcare providers to have the knowledge, education and resources to support caregivers and their loved ones on their journey. This research contributes to the lack of existing research focused on Indigenous experiences of caring for a loved one with dementia and works from a social determinants of health framework. The audience for this research is health care providers, thus, resources to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous families affected by dementia are included throughout to improve their practice.

Summary for Lay Audience

This research focuses on the story telling of female, Indigenous caregivers for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias (ADOD). Healthcare providers also share their experiences of caregiving for Indigenous and non-Indigenous families affected by dementia.

Throughout the study, recommendations are provided based on the stories of caregivers and health care providers to inform practice. This shifts the onus from caregivers to care providers to have the knowledge, education and resources to support caregivers and their loved ones on their healthcare journey. This research contributes to the lack of existing research focused on Indigenous experiences of caring for a loved one with dementia and works from a social of determinants of health framework. Resources to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous families affected by dementia are included throughout along with resources for healthcare providers to improve their practice.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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