Background: Dementia is a degenerative disease which effects the brains cognitive functions and there are several different types of dementia. A person who has dementia is likely to wander, shout, be aggressive, memory loss and poor perception of time. All of these symptoms affect the partner to the person with dementia. Every year over 25'000 persons gets dementia and many of these persons lives at home. The partner is often the one who takes care of the person with dementia.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate partners experiences of living with a person who has dementia. Method: The method used in this study was literature study and fifteen qualitative articles were analysed.

Results: Two main themes emerged: a changed relationship and to manage the situation.Dementia affects the relationship of a couple. There will be changes in the emotional relationship because the person who once was there disappears as the dementia deteriorates. At the same time there is a change in the roles. The chores that the person with dementia did earlier is now the partner’s responsibility. To be able to take care of the person with dementia the partner had his or hers own resources.These resources could consist of practical and emotional strategies. Also external resources where available, such as support from family, friends, church or support groups. Conclusion: The conclusion is that the partner is doing everything in its power to keep the person with dementia at home as long as possible.