Impact of Dementia on UK Families

UNIT 6 RESEARCH PROJECT
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Study Background.....................................................................................................................3
1.3 Study Rationale..........................................................................................................................4
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study...............................................................................................4
1.5 Questions of the Study...............................................................................................................4
1.6 Significance of the Study...........................................................................................................5
1.7 Overall Structure........................................................................................................................5
1.8 Summary....................................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2: Literature Review...........................................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................7
2.2 Conceptual Framework..............................................................................................................8
2.3 Critical analysis of social and economic impact of dementia in UK families...........................8
2.4 Theories related to dementia......................................................................................................9
2.5 Critical analysis of factors related to dementia........................................................................10
2.6 Impact of factors and Rationale for conducting this research.................................................11
2.7 Legislations and policies of the government...........................................................................11
2.8 Implementations and interventions..........................................................................................12
2.9 Gap analysis.............................................................................................................................13
2.10 Summary................................................................................................................................13
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................14
3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................14
3.2 Methodology Selection............................................................................................................14
3.3 Research Philosophy................................................................................................................14
3.4 Approach of the research.........................................................................................................15
3.5 Research Design......................................................................................................................16
3.6 Data collection methods..........................................................................................................16
3.8 Data analysis techniques..........................................................................................................18
3.9 Ethical consideration...............................................................................................................19
3.10 Summary................................................................................................................................19
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Chapter 4: Data Analysis...............................................................................................................20
4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................20
4.2 Thematic analysis....................................................................................................................20
4.3 Summary..................................................................................................................................25
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations..............................................................................26
5.1 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................26
5.2 Recommendations....................................................................................................................26
5.3 Areas to study further..............................................................................................................27
Reference List:...............................................................................................................................29
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Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Introduction
Dementia is one of the worst diseases that can affect any patient. They not only lead to the
suffering of the patients themselves but also cause excessive suffering to families, relatives and
those who are close to them. The following study attempts to deal with details regarding the
impact of this disease on families based in the United Kingdom. Proper data regarding cases and
their critical analysis along with a thorough study of their features have been done. Increasing
number of cases of dementia in people, especially those over the age of sixty has become an
immense cause of concern for people all over the country. Negative effects, as well as social and
economic problems that families have to face and deal with, have been covered in this study. The
conducted research also has the aim to highlight methods and legislations implemented by the
government in response to this crisis. These studies and discussions have attempted to justify the
importance of studying and eventually preventing an onset of cases of dementia. Methods that
are going to be adopted in this study as well as main aims and objectives of conducting this
research have also been discussed. The significance of this study has also been illuminated, and
they can shed some light on the increasing number of dementia cases as well as their effects on
the families of the patients, as well as methods to overcome them.
1.2 Study Background
According to Car et al. (2017, p.26) a very alarming issue that has recently come to light is the
increase in the number of patients suffering from dementia in countries including the one chosen
for review in this study. Around 800,000 people are suffering from dementia in this country, with
expenditure and costs ranging from 25 billion to 26 billion Pounds per year.
Social problems plague the families of those who suffer from dementia. They suffer problems
ranging from a change in relationships between family members to being isolated by other
members of society. This social isolation can cause great problems and difficulties. People living
in the surrounding areas are reluctant to help these families with even simple matters, resulting in
an increase in problems even in the tiniest matters (Connolly et al. 2014, p.17).
In order to care for patients, caregivers have to sacrifice their own time and potential
opportunities for jobs. This can have tremendous impacts on the financial condition of these
families. In addition, they have to deal with extra costs for expensive medications for this
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disease. It has been observed that almost 54% of caregivers struggled to pay costs of their
households.
1.3 Study Rationale
What is the issue?
The increase in a number of patients suffering from dementia and diseases such as Alzheimer's
disease are the main issues that need to be studied. In addition, this causes a tremendous strain on
families who are tasked with their responsibilities. These families face severe economic and
social problems that have to be addressed in order to benefit them as soon as possible.
Why is this an issue?
This is mainly an issue that has to be addressed as soon as possible due to its negative
consequences on these families. Almost 54% of caregivers are struggling to pay for their
household jobs, and most of these people are even unable to go to work due to additional
responsibilities. It has been observed that failure in dealing with these issues will definitely lead
to an increase in the percentage of caregivers struggling to take care of their expenses.
Research Focus
This research aims to shed some light on the social and economic impacts of dementia on
families in the United Kingdom.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
Main Aim
As mentioned before, this study aims to point out problems of social as well as economic natures
caregivers and family members of those suffering from dementia suffer from. This study hopes
to illuminate those issues.
Objectives of this Research
 To discuss social problems of those whose family has a patient of dementia
 To discuss economic problems of those whose family has a patient of dementia
 To analyse their impacts
 To recommend possible ways to ease their problems
1.5 Questions of the Study
Q1) What is dementia and how does it impact its patients?
Q2) What are the problems that it inflicts on caregivers of patients?
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Q3) What are the social and economic impacts that it has on the families of these patients?
Q4) What are the tactics and methods that can be implemented to check these problems and
impacts?
Q5) What are the main strategies that can be implemented in order to help these people?
1.6 Significance of the Study
Research conducted here is aimed to analyse the impacts that dementia has on families based in
the UK. This study provides a valuable insight into causes and symptoms of dementia as well.
This is so because, in order to understand and analyse effects of a disease on families, it is
mandatory that that disease is understood fully first. Studies conducted here can be added to the
ever increasing store of knowledge on this disease, which is one of the most devastating diseases
known to mankind. Furthermore, analysis of social and economic impacts that this disease has on
families having patients plays a very crucial role in bringing their plight into the light. Also, it
provides potential solutions to their problems, which have a high probability of success. This
study has also taken into account legislations involved in these case that can provide help in
dealing with such issues. It also proves to be a big help in pointing out sectors in which the UK
government has proven to be successful as well as parts where they proved to be failures.
1.7 Overall Structure
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