Between sexual assault and compassion: The experience of living with a spouse’s dementia-related hypersexuality—A narrative case-study

By: Harel D., Band-Winterstein T., Goldblatt H.
Published in: Dementia
SDGs : SDG 16  |  Units:   | Time: 2022 |  Link
Description: Background: Hypersexuality is one of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. This symptom can lead to poo r quality of life for the person who lives with dementia, as well as for his or her caregiver, who might be exposed to sexual assault. Aim: This study aimed to highlight the experience of an older woman living and coping with a spouse who exhibits dementia-related hypersexuality. Method: A narrative case-study of a single case was designed, composed of four semi-structured interviews conducted over a 10-month period. The data were analyzed through thematic, structural, and performance analysis. Findings: Four phases were revealed, depicting the experience of being a partner and caregiver of a spouse with dementia-related hypersexuality: a) “I need help”: A distress call; b) “It depends how long I agree to go on with it”: Living with the ambiguous reality of dementia-related hypersexual behavior within an ongoing intimate relationship; c) “It’s as if I’m hugging someone who’s no longer alive”: The transition from the previous couplehood identity to a new couplehood identity; and d) “I am just taking care of him as if he is a child”: A compassionate couplehood identity construction. Conclusions: Living with a partner with dementia-related hypersexuality is a distressing experience for the caregiver-spouse. Yet, positive memories from a long intimate relationship can lead to the creation of a compassionate identity, which supports the caregiving process, and creates a sense of acceptance and meaning making. This, in turn, enables a positive aging experience. These finding have some practical implications for supporting and intervening in such cases. © The Author(s) 2021.