Experiences of supporting a family member with an intellectual disability and dementia

Part One: Systematic Literature ReviewPart one is a systematic review of the literature that explores the experiences of individuals aged 19 or under who have a sibling with an intellectual disability. Thematic synthesis was conducted on 10 papers which met the inclusion criteria. Two superordinate themes and six subordinate themes were generated: personal growth capturing responsibility, managing emotions, acceptance and appreciation; and role of the external world capturing public interactions and support. The findings illustrate siblings' capacity for growth and the experiences they navigate. This highlights the importance systemic and community-based approaches to support siblings emotionally and socially.Part Two: Empirical PaperPart two is an empirical paper that explores the lived experiences of resilience in family caregivers of individuals with both an intellectual disability and dementia. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was employed to analyse the six interviews, generating one overarching theme that reflected the inner strength demonstrated by caregivers. This theme encompassed three subthemes describing love, uncertainty and support. These findings highlight the role of resilience in caregiving, which appeared to be driven by love and dedication to their family member. This study uncovered the challenges caregivers face in navigating the journey of a dementia diagnosis, and the importance of support in sustaining caregiver wellbeing and the wellbeing of the looked-after individual through the effectiveness and quality of care they are able to provide. Overall, the findings contribute to increased understanding of the unique challenges experienced by family caregivers, promotes the importance of offering psychological support, and advocates for their involvement in care planning for the looked-after individual.Part Three comprises the AppendicesPart three comprises appendices associated with both the systemic literature review and the empirical study, including a reflective statement and an epistemological statement.