The experience of lived body as expressed by people with dementia: A systematic meta-synthesis

People with dementia undergo extensive bodily changes during the course of dementia. Even though this is largely unrecognised in the literature, these changes greatly impact on the persons' experiences of living with dementia. Consequently, health care professionals and family caregivers need to be aware of the implications this has for delivering care to people with dementia. Hence, a systematic review that synthesises the knowledge on this topic is called for.

This article presents a qualitative systematic meta-synthesis of interview studies with people with dementia. The theoretical framework of lifeworlds by van Manen provided the context for the study. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program criteria for qualitative studies were used to appraise the studies. Thirty-nine qualitative research studies were included in the review. The analysis followed the principles of interpretive synthesis.

When exploring people's experiences of their body when living with dementia, four categories emerge: (1) My body works; (2) My body betrays me; (3) Understanding and adapting to my body's changes; and (4) My body in relation to others.

Every individual has their own personal experience of living with dementia; however, if health professionals fail to regard the body as more than an object, this may lead to the person's alienation both from the relation and from the body. The lived body experience has relational aspects as people with dementia are aware that others observe them, and they also observe others. Others' behaviour may affect the person's experience of body; one can perceive oneself as approved or denounced. People with dementia describe that a body that is capable and strong gives access to the world and to participation.