Disorganisation of family links and reactivation of conflict among caregivers when confronted by their mother’s suffering from Alzheimer’s disease

Résumé 0

Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases are a long-term test for the subjects suffering directly but also for those close to them. This research posits the hypothesis that Alzheimer’s disease is a family time conducive to the revival of family history, conflicts and traumatisms, disturbing family bonds but also engaging those close to provide succour. This approach is illustrated by the case of a family history of five sisters faced with the dependence of their mother suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Based on a phenomenological analysis, they show how significant the disorganisation of family ties and the reactivation of conflicts are in the concrete organisation of caregivers around the sick parent. Children confronted with the serious illness of a parent must not not only have to work on accepting the illness, but also rework the family history thus reactivated.