Background: Dementia can be described as a syndrome that causes a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember that is severe enough to affect daily functioning. Mostly elderly people are diagnosed and as the population grows older the amount of people who are diagnosed with dementia are increasing. About 130 000 to 150 000 people in Sweden have dementia and about 20 000 to 25 000 people are diagnosed each year. This will result in more family members taking on the responsibility of caring for a person with dementia.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to illuminate relatives' experience of caring for a person with dementia at home.

Method: A literature based study based on analysis of ten qualitative studies of relatives caring for a person with dementia at home.

Results: The results show that relatives who care for a person with dementia at home described both positive and negative experiences. A main theme emerged with four subthemes. The sub themes were To accept it as it is, Responsibility for ones relatives, To feel alone and To become a carer.

Conclusion: Caring for a person with dementia results in lifestyle changes for the carer. The result of this study showed both negative and positive aspects of caring for a family member with dementia. Relatives have created their strategies for caring. Accepting the situation can lead to relatives feeling relief. Nurses may come in contact with relatives who care for a family member with dementia who lives at home. This study may therefore help nurses care for patients with dementia and their families.