Abstract
Objectives: This paper examined the psychological factors that influence the well-being of health
professionals who work with people with dementia and the types of care (person-centred or taskoriented)
provided to these patients.
Methods: The literature was reviewed to identify the factors influencing the well-being of, and types
of care provided by, health professionals working with people experiencing dementia.
Results: Based on our review of the literature, we propose that approaches to care and the well-being
of health professionals working with dementia patients are influenced by the characterisation of
dementia as a terminal illness that typically occurs in older people. Drawing upon terror management
theory, we argue that exposure to dementia patients is likely to promote awareness of one¿s own
mortality and death-related anxiety. A theoretical model is presented which posits that health
professionals working in dementia care draw on experiential avoidance to manage this anxiety. Both
death anxiety, and coping strategies, such as experiential avoidance, used to manage this anxiety
may influence health professionals¿ approaches to care of, and attitudes towards, dementia patients.
We also suggest a bi-directional relationship between health professionals¿ approaches to care and
well-being.
Conclusion: Recommendations are made regarding future directions for research and implications for
training of health professionals providing direct service or consultation in dementia care.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 634-641 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Aging and Mental Health |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |