Purposeful Engagement as a Motivation for Dementia Caregiving: Comment on Lang and Fowers (2019)

In Lang and Fowers' (2019) article, they provide multiple arguments for why dementia caregiving persists despite the seemingly great evolutionary risk. Adding to their list of considerations, the current commentary provides another potential explanation, namely, that individuals may enact dementia caregiving because it provides engagement toward purposeful aims. Having a sense of purpose predicts multiple evolutionary benefits, including greater longevity, and we discuss here 2 routes by which dementia caregiving may fulfill the role of purposeful engagement. First, it provides a mechanism for suiting some individuals' broader goals of helping others in need. Second, it may allow individuals an opportunity for reflection upon what constitutes personally meaningful pursuits. The commentary ends with a consideration of why adding purpose to the discussion of dementia caregiving can assist researchers and practice professionals interested in helping promote caregiver well-being.