Experiences of Disclosing Alzheimer's Disease in the Workplace
Author Information
Author(s): Gibson Allison, Coccia Kathryn, Hasten Lauren
Primary Institution: Saint Louis University
Hypothesis
How do individuals with Alzheimer's disease experience disclosing their diagnosis in the workplace?
Conclusion
Many individuals with Alzheimer's disease had positive experiences when disclosing their diagnosis to employers, especially when they felt supported.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants who felt supported by their supervisors were more likely to disclose their diagnosis.
- Those who did not disclose often feared a lack of reasonable accommodations.
- Many participants were able to continue working due to flexible roles and supportive environments.
Takeaway
People with Alzheimer's disease can feel good about telling their boss about their illness if they think their boss will help them keep their job.
Methodology
Interviews were conducted with 16 individuals living with Alzheimer's disease using a modified grounded theory approach and thematic analysis.
Limitations
Some participants faced challenges accessing disability resources and not all could continue working after their diagnosis.
Participant Demographics
Participants had a mean age of 66 and were living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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