What happens when people develop dementia whilst working? An exploratory multiple case study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Occupational Health
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Dementia diagnosis often leads to premature exit from paid employment.
• Limited research exists on the lived experiences of individuals with dementia in the workplace.
• Understanding the impact on both the individual and their significant others is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of individuals diagnosed with dementia while in paid employment.
• To understand how work-related decisions and actions are experienced by individuals with dementia and their significant others.
• To examine the consequences of dementia on an individual's working life.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative longitudinal case study design.
• Inclusion of five participants with dementia and their chosen significant others.
• Longitudinal interviews analyzed using Formal Data-Structure Analysis.

Main Results:

• Dementia diagnosis acts as a double-edged trigger, influencing self-perceptions based on stereotypes.
• Sensemaking and agency were critical factors in participants' experiences.
• Societal perceptions of dementia significantly impacted individuals' work-life experiences.

Conclusions:

• A dementia diagnosis can be alienating in a work context, potentially triggering self-fulfilling prophecies.
• A paradigm shift is necessary from a deficit-based view to recognizing the agency of people with dementia.
• Supporting individuals with dementia to make sense of their diagnosis and participate in decisions is vital for their well-being in employment.