Questions I asked the narrative:
• What is distinctive in the story?
• How is the family caregiver’s identity described?
• How is belonging described?
• Are there any conflicts or dilemmas?
• How do they describe the position they have chosen?
• How are their stories told?
The plot: the counselor – from support to emotional closeness
The narrative divided into different parts
I am the most caring of us three sisters, the loving one, the one who hugs and touches, who shows an interest in our mother. And that’s probably why she says that I’m her favourite in the family. I don’t think a mother should say that. You shouldn’t even say it even if you have dementia. Before my mother was diagnosed with dementia, she often said “Thank you for your good advice. I should pay you.” Sometimes my answers were complicated, but she often said “But I want to hear your opinion because you give good advice.” And she seems to have brought this into her dementia – it’s there.	I’m my mother’s favourite My mother has always asked for my advice This is still the case It’s nice that she likes me best, but it isn’t good that she says so I’m important to my mother
When my mother or anyone else visits me, I sit like this. I give my time to whoever is there. I don’t do this with my mother all the time now, because it would be tiresome, and things finally go haywire, she talks about the same thing all the time. My solution is to do different things. It’s nice when I see that she’s happy, and is having a good time. I think I get less irritated now than I did in the past. And I’m a solution-oriented person, my job is to solve problems. So of course, I try to do the same in my private life. I want it to be nice to spend time with her, and for her to be fine when she leaves me; I want her to be left with a good feeling. And I think that that’s mostly the case.	I’m sensible when I’m around my mother I’m solution oriented I try to do what’s best for my mother I’m fine if she’s fine My mother likes being with me