Clinical Social Work Journal

, Volume 42, Issue 1, pp 90–100 | Cite as

Constructing Couples’ Stories: Narrative Practice Insights from a Dyadic Dementia Intervention

  • Kristin S. Scherrer
  • Berit Ingersoll-Dayton
  • Beth Spencer
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Memory loss and dementia can be devastating for both caregivers and care recipients. Narrative therapeutic approaches offer promise, as well as challenges, for social interventions with couples where one partner has dementia. The Couples Life Story Approach is a recently-developed method by which practitioners work with such couples to help them narrate the story of their life together. This narrative approach is augmented by mementoes (e.g., photos, cards) that are collected by the couple during the intervention. Significant memories are elicited from both partners and developed into a Life Story Book. Drawing on data from this clinical research intervention with 20 older couples, we ask: What are some of the challenges of conducting narrative-based therapeutic interventions with older couples with memory loss? Clinical themes were identified utilizing a multiple case study approach during weekly team meetings. Six of the most prominent themes are presented here. Specifically, how to: (1) construct a narrative from disparate stories, (2) tell a mutual story, (3) tell the story of a couple that has been in a shorter relationship, (4) incorporate others in the story, (5) include difficult life moments, and, (6) end the story. Within each theme, we utilize case examples to illuminate relevant issues and describe strategies that were developed to resolve these clinical challenges. Implications for practitioners and clinical researchers who are engaged in dyadic interventions are discussed.

Keywords

Narrative therapy Alzheimer’s disease Older couples Memory loss 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their appreciation to Becky Allen, Ruth Campbell, Barbara Haight and Yukiko Kurokowa for their assistance with intervention development, Louis Burgio and Joe Himle for their consultation on translational research methods, and to Minyoung Kwak and the other graduate students involved on the research team. We would also like to thank the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (UL1RR024986), NIA Training Grant AG0017, and the University of Michigan School of Social Work for their financial support. In addition, we appreciate the University of Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the Alzheimer’s Association (Great Lakes Michigan Chapter, Greater Michigan Chapter, and Northwest Ohio Chapter), and the University of Michigan Geriatrics Center Clinics for their assistance with recruitment.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • Kristin S. Scherrer
    • 1
  • Berit Ingersoll-Dayton
    • 2
  • Beth Spencer
    • 3
  1. 1.School of Social WorkRutgers, The State University of New JerseyNew BrunswickUSA
  2. 2.School of Social WorkThe University of MichiganAnn ArborUSA
  3. 3.Turner Geriatric CenterThe University of MichiganAnn ArborUSA

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