Socio Ecological Model of Care

Present a Theory/Theoretical Framework

Qualitative case study design with semi-structured interviews will serve as the method and design for this study.

The appropriateness of method and design can be found in the fact that the qualitative case study design will allow for an in-depth exploration of the experiences of women with Alzheimer's disease. This type of study can also shed light on the social and cultural factors that influence the experiences of women with Alzheimer's, such as gender roles, stigma, and access to healthcare. Furthermore, a qualitative study can identify gaps in current healthcare services and support systems for women with Alzheimer's, as well as highlight potential areas for intervention and improvement. It can also generate hypotheses for future quantitative research on the topic.

Semi-structured interviews will provide a flexible and open-ended approach to data collection, allowing participants to freely express their experiences and perspectives. This approach is particularly useful when the focus is on a relatively unexplored topic and a deep understanding of individuals' experiences is sought.

The study aims to explore the experiences of women with Alzheimer's disease in order to better understand their lived experiences, challenges, and needs. The chosen qualitative case study design and semi-structured interviews align with the research questions and purpose of the study by allowing for an in-depth exploration of the topic. What are the experiences of women with Alzheimer’s in America?

The study will draw upon the theory of illness narratives, which emphasizes the importance of individuals' personal experiences and narratives in shaping their understanding and management of chronic illnesses (Shapiro, 2011). The study will contribute to this theory by providing a deeper understanding of the experiences of women with Alzheimer's disease and how they construct their own illness narratives. So far, literature has focused on the illness narratives of caregivers and family members supporting a loved with Alzheimer’s (Burke, 2014). This study will give more voice to women with Alzheimer’s so that their views can be heard.

Additionally, the social-ecological framework will be used as a theoretical lens to guide the analysis of the literature. The literature review will contribute to the social-ecological framework by providing a comprehensive overview of the existing research on the various factors contributing to Alzheimer's disease among women. This information will be used to identify potential areas for intervention and prevention, and to guide future research on the topic. Steffen and Jackson (2012) point out, for instance, the importance of support groups for those caring for Alzheimer’s patients. But do Alzheimer’s patients themselves take comfort in such groups?

Foundational research support can be seen in the extent to which the study will draw upon existing literature on Alzheimer's disease among women, qualitative research methods, and theories related to the experiences of individuals with chronic illnesses. Illness narratives

As for data gathering and analysis, participants will be recruited through purposive sampling, with a focus on including women from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with participants in a private and comfortable setting. Data analysis will involve a thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify common themes and patterns in participants' experiences.

The theory of illness narratives can be coupled with the theoretical framework that will also be used in this study, which is tje social-ecological framework. This framework will allow for deeper understanding of the various individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors that women with Alzheimer’s must navigate. All of these factors contribute in some way to health, and can be seen also from the standpoint of holistic care. The social-ecological framework can be used to guide the analysis of the literature and to identify potential areas for intervention and prevention.