Support Dynamics Among Community-Dwelling Live-Alone Persons With Dementia Who Lack Familial Care Options

While research steadily demonstrates that family functions as the central component in the provision of care for persons with dementia, little is known about support dynamics among those who reside alone in the community. Even less is known about those who reside alone with dementia and lack familial care options. To address this gap, data were drawn from an interview-based pilot (N = 30) that focused on community-dwelling live-alone persons with dementia. Qualitative descriptive analyses were conducted on the subsample who had no identifiable family and their collaterals (n = 10). Analyses indicated several themes including: (1). transient informal care, (2). consequential peripheral ties, and (3). discordant care preference and care planning. The present study expands on the limited information on those aging at home alone with dementia, providing a lens for understanding the complex intersection of dementia, residing alone, and aging without familial support.