| Foucault's concept on power relations and social governance were used to categorise textual data taken from the Canadian Alzheimer's discussion forum for family care providers in order to develop a theoretical understanding of how care givers use online support and the implication of its use on care provision.; The majority of care givers conformed to the increased demands of care giving in Western society. They view care giving as an ethical exercise that requires personal sacrifice. In some instances, caregivers' accounts became politicized to protect the interest of persons with AD. Many resisted dominant health care discourses, acquired scientific knowledge and sought out alternative solutions. Online support can operate as a vehicle for disciplinary practices and social governance that in turn contributes to the construction of "enterprising" family care givers who independently seek out solutions and become self-sufficient masters in unremunerated care provision. |
