29:T520,

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) pose great challenges for the caregivers during the evolution of the disease with impacts on patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Caregivers often remain very present and involved once the difficult decision has been made to relocate the person to a residential and long-term care center (centre d’hébergement de soins de longue durée [CHSLD] in Quebec). The experience of caregivers about BPSD management in CHSLDs remains poorly understood. The aim of this study is to explore the needs and experience of caregivers of patients with BPSD living in CHSLDs, as well as the solutions they suggest to better manage BPSD in CHSLDs. We carried out this qualitative interpretive descriptive study with six focus groups, including 32 caregivers, in Quebec, Canada. Data analysis identified six themes: (1) the transition period between home and the CHSLD; (2) the lack of knowledge about BPSD; (3) the approach to BPSD by healthcare professionals; (4) the lack of communication; (5) defining the caregiver’s role in the healthcare team; and (6) the caregiver’s need for respite. These results offer relevant avenues to improve collaborative practices with caregivers in CHSLDs involved in the care of people with BPSD.

2a:T559,

Little is known regarding the nuanced experiences of family carers for people living with rare dementias (PLWRD), with no known literature exploring their positive experiences of caring discussed within peer support group settings. This article explores family carers of PLWRD’s positive experiences reported in video conferencing peer support groups. Six peer support group sessions involving a total of nine participants were qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis, guided by the conceptual framework of positive aspects of caring (CFPAC) (Carbonneau et al., 2010). Six themes were identified: (1) Protecting, maintaining, enjoying and finding strength in their relationship with the PLWRD; (2) Using tools and resources in response to challenges; (3) Positive impact of interactions and others’ responses to the dementia; (4) Overcoming barriers to taking a break while maintaining their wellbeing, (5) Maintaining positive outlooks and showing psychological resilience in adversity; and (6) Attributing meaning to the caring role. This article highlights family carers of PLWRD’s positive psychological, physical and social resources, balanced against the challenges of caring and maintaining their wellbeing, and identifies ways of promoting family carers’ positive caring experiences and resources within healthcare and supportive settings.

2b:T476,

Most patients report physical pain and psychosocial problems (suffering, depression, anxiety) during and after cancer treatment. This mixed methods study, based on the Theory of Social Representations, examines if pain and suffering are taboo subjects for oncologists and patients, and if they share the same representations. The data collected included 33 in-depth interviews with patients in chemotherapy/radiotherapy treatment (n = 20) and their oncologists (n = 13). We measured the number of spontaneous mentions of the words “pain” and “suffering” and their synonyms. We then examined semantic networks related to these two terms. The results show that for patients, suffering refers to bodily degradation and vulnerability while pain confirms the presence of the disease. In the interviews conducted with oncologists, suffering is absent. Pain is perceived as a sign of disease progression and an indicator of tolerance to treatment. These results may help in increasing the mutual understanding between oncologists and patients and facilitating the detection of depression and anxiety.

2c:Tcc8,