Aim and objective To explore the challenges faced by family caregivers of people with frontotemporal dementia and other forms of dementia affecting the frontal and temporal lobes causing behavioural disturbances through a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews. Background Studies of different forms of dementia involving degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes have mainly focused on the neurophysiology and physiology of the disease and on caregivers' health. Few studies have described the challenges and burdens connected with everyday life and in relation to suitable nursing home placement that are faced by family caregivers. Method and design This study used a descriptive and explorative design. Eleven semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of patients from special units in four nursing homes were conducted in 2014. Data were analysed based on Kvale and Brinkmann's three contexts of interpretation: self-understanding, common sense and theoretical understanding. Checklist for qualitative studies: Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) Results Two central themes were derived from the data: changes in behaviour and personality were perceived as incomprehensible, frightening and increasingly difficult to manage. Family caregivers experienced challenges in finding suitable care facilities when they were not able to continue providing home care. Due to behavioural disturbances and lack of relevant competencies among health personnel, family members were often moved between nursing homes. Conclusion Pronounced personality and behavioural disturbances such as tactlessness and aggression in a family member with dementia are experienced by caregivers as stressful and burdensome and may lead to feelings of shame and guilt. A lack of suitable care facilities adds to the stress and difficulties of the families and entails an additional and unresolved burden. Relevance to Clinical Practice The study reveals a need for more knowledge among those organising health services as well as healthcare professional dealing with this patient category to ease the burden on next of kin.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether a combined intervention of physical activity and music therapy could reduce anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and aggression among individuals with severe dementia. An exploratory design was used to evaluate a combined intervention of physical activity, music therapy, and daily walking. Interventions were systematically implemented for 8 weeks. Target groups were individuals with dementia with frontal lobe symptoms in institutional care. Primary outcome measure was the Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC). Four men and two women (mean age = 84.3 years) and their primary caretakers ( n = 6) participated. The most prominent symptoms among participants at baseline were confusion, irritability, and verbal threats. The individual BVC total scores indicated significant improvements ( p = 0.03). Implementation of individualized music therapy combined with increased physical activity for 8 weeks was a feasible intervention that reduced anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and aggression in the current study. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 57 (5), 29–37.]

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) constitutes on average 10–15% of dementia in younger persons (≤65 years old), but can also affect older people. These patients demonstrate a decline in social conduct, and/or language aphasias, apathy, and loss of insight that is gradual and progressive. Preservation of dignity seems to be highly relevant both before and after admission to different types of institutionalized care, but the research is scant. From the perspective of close relatives, this study aims to develop knowledge related to dignified or undignified care of patients with FTD and similar conditions.

Aim To bring knowledge about how relatives can serve as a resource and cooperate with nursing home staff in giving care to patients with dementia and behavioural symptoms. Background Studies suggests that family members want to retain the role of caregivers also after institutionalization of a family member with dementia. We have little knowledge about how family caregivers and nursing home staff develop a collaborative relationship. Methods The study has a descriptive and explorative design. Data were collected via 11 semi-structured, audiotaped interviews with family members. The analysis is based on Kvale and Brinkman’s three levels of interpretation. Findings Relatives were to a little degree included as a resource for nursing home staff, and they missed a continuous dialog with health personnel in charge of the care. The transition from the role of being an active, responsible caregiver to someone that was not involved and familiar with the daily needs of their family member was perceived as difficult. Conclusion Relatives may be an important resource in the planning of long-term care for their family members. Conscious inclusion and collaboration with relatives can help them remain in their role as caregivers and prevent them from feeling disclosed.

Background: About 70.000 people suffer from dementia in Norway. Earlier studies focus on the challenges nursing home staff face when they are caregivers for patients with dementia and aggressive behavior. Studies emphasize the need for training and competence.Aim: The aim of this study was to describe nursing staff's experiences of giving care to patients suffering from dementia with aggressive behavior against caregivers and to highlight their need for more training and competence in order to take care of the patients' dignity.Methods: Qualitative research interviews were conducted with twelve caregivers in a nursing home in Norway. Content analysis according to Kvale and Brinkmann was employed.Results: Three categories emerged. 1) Experience of powerlessness, of being unsuccessful and afraid. 2) Balance between force and autonomy, and 3) Need for special competence to deal with aggressive behavior.Conclusion: The informants emphasized fear and anxiety, and expressed a need for ethical reflection and training in how to handle aggressive behavior to maintain the patients' dignity.

AIM The main aim of this paper is to uncover whether the actual career choices and job values of newly qualified nurses are in accordance with the predictions they made at the commencement of their nursing education. BACKGROUND A cohort of Norwegian nurse students was followed from the beginning of their education in 1998 through nursing school and 2,years after graduating. METHODS Questionnaire data from 221 nursing students at three points in time: 1998, 2001 and 2003 were analysed with frequency distributions and paired samples t-tests. For 140 respondents data from all three points were available. RESULTS Initially motives like human contact, helping others, job security were important, and 92% had a wish for further education. Career preferences were often midwifery, public heath and nursing practice in high tech areas. Towards the end of the bachelor course (2001), there was more ambiguity in the helping motives. On one hand, the students wanted to be altruistic but on the other hand, they wanted gratitude in return when giving help to patients. Seventy five per cent of the students had plans for further education within a period of about 2 years after graduation. Midwifery, public health work and high tech practice were still preferred. Findings from 2003 indicated only 16% had started or finished further education 2 years after graduation. When appraising future job challenges in 2001 and 2003, there is a decrease in emphasis on the values human contact and part-time work and an increase in emphasis on high salary and job security. CONCLUSIONS During the student period, the bachelor programme was regarded as a basis for further education, but 2 years after graduation only 16% had realized further education. Preferences related to job values regarding a prospective job reveal a decrease in the importance of human contact and an increase in the importance of a high salary and job security from 2001 to 2003.

The purpose of this article is to describe, attempt to explain and discuss the change in values the post-modern society has undergone during the last 20 years. The question is: How has the original philosophy for choosing a self-effacing calling altered? In the late part of the 19th century the church still played a dominant role in the society. Values such as charity and humility were deeply rooted in the population and compassion was the motive for choosing a calling such as nursing. The deaconesses who dominated the nursing profession at that time, thought it important that the correct disposition in nursing should be prompted by a need to help, to assist the sick and the suffering. A little more than 100 years later society has become pluralistic. Technology solves many problems, it attempts to eliminate disease and suffering is shunned. Students who choose nursing education are characterized by a diversity of views of life, ambivalence and heterogenity. Their objectives/motives for choosing nursing are general and vague, in that they state their wish to become nurses is motivated by a desire for contact with human beings/to help others, to do something useful for society. There is reason to ask whether the desire for human contact/to help has another meaning for the young students of today than it had for the women who chose nursing in earlier periods.