Frau Bodmer
Ms. Bodmer is 28 years old at the time of the interview, has two siblings, and lives in the northern part of Switzerland. Ms. Bodmer is currently working in education. Her 88-year-old grandmother, who is physically healthy, developed dementia six years ago. Her grandmother does not have a specific dementia diagnosis. Ms. Bodmer's grandmother lives alone at home in a small village. Ms. Bodmer's father, who lives in the immediate vicinity, cares for his mother daily. There is a wider support network of family members, friends, and neighbors who are in daily contact with Ms. Bodmer’s grandmother as well. The grandchildren help around the house, and Ms. Bodmer visits her grandmother on weekends to do things with her. Outside help from the outpatient nursing service has been considered by the family, but Ms. Bodmer’s grandmother is emotionally sensitive to the suggestion of bringing in external support.
TEXT
Drawing up an advance directive was a complicated undertaking in the family, says Ms. Bodmer.
Drawing up an advance directive was a complicated undertaking in the family, says Ms. Bodmer. Like her grandmother, her father's brother was afraid his preferences wouldn’t be taken into account.
TRANSCRIPT
Related experiences
Frau Zeller
Her siblings accept the role of Mrs. Zeller as the one mainly responsible for their mother.
Her siblings accept the role of Mrs. Zeller as the one mainly responsible for their mother. The siblings communicate with each other in a group chat to all stay informed.
Four levels of communication of the caregivers
Herr Reinhart
The Reinhart brothers disagree about where their mother should live.
Mr. Reinhart is burdened by the responsibility of caring for his mother’s large house on top of caring for her. He thinks it would simplify the situation considerably if his mother were to move in with him. His brother, though, prefers that their mother move into a nursing home, which leaves Mr. Reinhart feeling misunderstood.
Four levels of communication of the caregivers
Other experiences by Frau Bodmer
Frau Bodmer
Ms. Bodmer is 28 years old at the time of the interview, has two siblings, and lives in the northern part of Switzerland. Ms. Bodmer is currently working in education. Her 88-year-old grandmother, who is physically healthy, developed dementia six years ago. Her grandmother does not have a specific dementia diagnosis. Ms. Bodmer's grandmother lives alone at home in a small village. Ms. Bodmer's father, who lives in the immediate vicinity, cares for his mother daily. There is a wider support network of family members, friends, and neighbors who are in daily contact with Ms. Bodmer’s grandmother as well. The grandchildren help around the house, and Ms. Bodmer visits her grandmother on weekends to do things with her. Outside help from the outpatient nursing service has been considered by the family, but Ms. Bodmer’s grandmother is emotionally sensitive to the suggestion of bringing in external support.
Frau Bodmer
A trip that Ms. Bodmer took with her grandmother reflects perpetual tensions: between including her grandmother despite that being overwhelming for her grandmother, between investing in the relationship despite efforts being quickly forgotten.
Ms. Bodmer took her grandmother on a trip, although it required a lot of effort and caused significant stress. A week later, her grandmother could no longer remember the trip. Ms. Bodmer experiences a tightrope walk between wanting to including her grandmother and not wanting to overtaxing her, between wanting to invest in the relationship since the two were always very close, and not wanting to be disappointed when her grandmother forgets the interaction.
Processes of adaptation
Dementia
Frau Bodmer
Visiting her grandmother on weekends has become exhausting, Ms. Bodmer says. Having a free weekend to herself is more attractive, she says, which gnaws at her conscience.
Visiting her grandmother on the weekends has become exhausting, Ms. Bodmer says. Having a free weekend to herself is more attractive, she says, which gnaws at her conscience.
Processes of adaptation
Dementia
Frau Bodmer
Drawing up an advance directive was a complicated undertaking in the family, says Ms. Bodmer.
Drawing up an advance directive was a complicated undertaking in the family, says Ms. Bodmer. Like her grandmother, her father's brother was afraid his preferences wouldn’t be taken into account.
Four levels of communication of the caregivers
Dementia
Frau Bodmer
Ms. Bodmer wants to be able to decide for herself about the end of her life, which she credits to generational change.
Like her grandmother, Ms. Bodmer cannot imagine moving into a nursing home. She wants to be able to decide for herself about the end of her life, which she credits to generational change.
Advance care planning
Dementia
© 2000-2021, All Rights Reserved