Proactive care-seeking strategies among adults aging solo with early dementia: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES: People living with dementia need increasing care over time, but one in three adults with cognitive impairment lives alone. The goal of this study was to explore the self-identified strengths and resources for future care needs of adults aging solo with early dementia.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 15 adults not living with a partner and with no children in the same state, who self-identified as having early dementia or mild cognitive impairment; hybrid inductive/deductive reflexive thematic analysis using a successful aging framework.

RESULTS: Participants placed a high value on maintaining independence and expressed concerns about preserving selfhood and becoming a burden to others. These values influenced how participants appraised financial and social resources available to address future care needs and strategies to pre-empt or respond to needs such as transportation, help with finances, or activities of daily living.

DISCUSSION: Adults without close family are heterogeneous and have variable resources available to address care needs associated with dementia progression. Common values of retaining independence and minimizing burden to others may be helpful in motivating adults aging solo to undertake planning and help-seeking early.