Reconsidering the Role of Being a Daughter of a Mother with Dementia

The ageing of Australia’s population means mother-daughter relationships have a longer adult stage and are increasingly affected by dementia. This paper has arisen from personal experience and heuristic searching for an understanding of being a daughter of a mother with dementia. Women have little awareness and preparation for being daughters of mothers with dementia and frequently perceive a role reversal. This infantilising approach undermines the personhood of mothers and disempowers both parties. Acceptance of alteration of generational roles and recognition of dependence as being an aspect of late life normalises changes in mother-daughter relationships and increases opportunity for reciprocity. Wellbeing of mother and daughter will be maximised by social understanding and acceptance of mature mother-daughter relationships, their dynamic nature, and mutual benefit.