Description
This thesis examines the notion of “caregiver burden” as it relates to Alzheimer’s dementia from the perspective of a mother and daughter who receive and provide care. This analysis critiques the dominant notion that providing care to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia is inherently burdensome, an idea that relies on neoliberal notions of individuality and a reliance upon the Western nuclear family model. My analysis is grounded in the theoretical framework of disability justice, specifically the analysis of cure as articulated by both Eunjung Kim and Eli Clare. Through interviews with my mother, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia, and my own autoethnography, I identified our true sources of stress and overwhelm, which include the stigmatization of Alzheimer’s dementia and a lack of support for family members who provide care. This study concludes that rather than resulting from the situation or experiences of care itself, feelings of burden stem from systemic failures.
