Early-Stage Major Neurocognitive Disorder: A Case Study of the Experiences of Elder Men Who Attended a Peer-Led Support Group

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to understand how elder men ages 65 and older with a diagnosis of early-stage major neurocognitive disorder experienced their participation in a peer-led support group series held at a neurology clinic in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The theory guiding this study asserts elder individuals contending with a chronic and debilitating illness like major neurocognitive disorder need to experience a sense of belonging and psycho-emotional support to attain resilience and quality of life and is found in the works of Hassani, Izadi-Avanji, Rakhshan, & Majd (2017) as it relates to the experience of elder men with major neurocognitive disorder and their engagement in a peer-led support group. The central research question in this study asked, “How did participating in an eight-week peer-led support group for elder men with early-stage major neurocognitive disorder in Barnstable, Massachusetts impact participants’ perceptions of self, quality of life, resilience, and the ability to thrive?” Data collection was achieved through individual interviews with support group members, their care partners, their neurology providers, and the support group facilitator. Journal notes, observations, memos and artifacts were utilized to enhance data collection and ensure triangulation. An analytic approach to data analysis that included pattern matching was employed to organize and categorize results to identify themes congruent or incongruent with research suppositions.