Intervention is Urgently Needed to Address Poor Awareness of South Asian Family Caregivers for Dementia Care: A Qualitative Study

Author(s):  
Qazi Shafayetul Islam ◽  
Nasima Akter

Introduction: “The National Dementia Strategies” in Canada emphasizes improving the knowledge of formal and informal caregivers for better care for the person living with dementia. Aim: This study aimed at exploring awareness and the attitudes of South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers towards dementia care. Methods: It was purposive sampling and a qualitative study. The study included 45 family caregivers (>55 years) for the face-to-face interviews in Toronto, Ontario. The study used semi-structured questions. The duration of the data collection was between February and March 2020. Results: The study included the three areas related to dementia, such as a) the awareness of dementia, b: awareness of prevention and treatment as well as the awareness of caregivers about what is needed for better dementia care, and c) attitudes of caregivers towards dementia care. Many caregivers described dementia as memory loss and forgetfulness. According to the caregivers, anxiety, depression, and aging were the risk factors of dementia. The caregivers commonly perceived dementia as an unpreventable and incurable disease. Moreover, many caregivers did not know about the appropriate health providers who diagnosed and treated dementia, and they were not aware of non-pharmacological care of dementia. The caregivers perceived dementia as a shameful disease. They would not go for diagnosis if they had risks for dementia and would hide their dementia after diagnosis. Many caregivers confessed that training was essential to improve knowledge about dementia, but they did not want to be a caregiver for the person living with dementia. Conclusion: The South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers had not enough awareness about dementia, prevention, and treatment. Dementia was associated with shame, and they had less interest in dementia care. Urgent educational training is needed in their language to improve knowledge, reduce stigma, engage them in dementia care, and achieve the goals of the National Dementia Strategies.

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-267
Author(s):  
Lay Ling Tan ◽  
Pui Sim Ong ◽  
Li Ling Ng ◽  
Wei Fern Ng ◽  
Hon Khuang Wong ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S916-S916
Author(s):  
Clarissa Shaw ◽  
Kristine N Williams ◽  
Maria Hein ◽  
Carissa Coleman ◽  
Yelena Perkhounkova

Abstract Enhancing dementia care is a public health priority and supporting family caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD) is a critical need. This poster reports the relationships between the types of care challenges reported by family caregivers and their scores on psychosocial measures. Family caregivers (N=83) participating in the FamTechCare clinical trial identified three top priority care challenges and completed a series of measures (i.e., burden, depression, sleep quality, and reaction to dementia behaviors) at baseline. Priority care challenges were classified using the 10-category Technology-supported Dementia Care Typology. Three of the categories (i.e., behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia [BPSD], activities of daily living [ADL], and disease expectations [DE]) were reported by an adequate number of caregivers in order to test relationships with psychosocial measures using the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Caregivers reporting 2 or 3 BPSD challenges had higher burden (p=.007), more depression (p=.022) and worse sleep quality (p=.020) compared to those reporting 0 or 1 care challenges related to BPSD. In comparison, caregivers with 2 or 3 challenges related to DE (e.g., PLWD memory loss) had less burden (p=.008), less depression (p=.030), and better sleep quality (p=.042), compared to those reporting 0 or 1 challenge related to DE. Caregivers identifying 2 or 3 care challenges related to ADLs also reported higher levels of depression (p=.036). Dementia caregivers face vast caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers facing BPSD challenges report greater burden and depression. These results reinforce the need for tailored interventions to assist family caregivers in the managing varied care challenges.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S417-S417
Author(s):  
Kate de Medeiros

Abstract Creativity offers liberation from the framework of decline in later life in general, and within the context of dementia specifically. Cohen described the synergy of hope and expectation as ways through which people access their creative potential, especially in the face of loss. This paper explores three case drawn from a qualitative study. Eight residents living in a secure dementia care facility participated in six 30-minute interactive poetry sessions using guidelines from the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project (APP). Observations were conducted at baseline, during the intervention, and one week afterwards. All sessions were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed. Important findings included the positive potential of imagined futures, creative engagement as a tool for building social bonds, and the importance of language play. Overall, these findings point to new ways to consider success in dementia interventions by focusing on the potential to create meaningful and creative engagement opportunities.


Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Bing Ye ◽  
Tuck-Voon How ◽  
Charlene H. Chu ◽  
Alex Mihailidis

Dementia drastically impacts the quality of life (QOL) of both people living with dementia (PLwD) and their family caregivers. As dementia progresses and care needs escalate, the likelihood of institutionalization is increased, which is counter to the wishes of the majority of older adults and their family members. Dementia care apps can provide critical support and have the potential to improve the QOL of both PLwD and their family caregivers and reduce perceived caregivers’ burden. However, there is a lack of understanding of the needs of both PLwD and their family caregivers related to dementia care apps. There is also a gap in understanding the privacy concerns in relation to the apps among older adults with dementia and their caregivers. As such, the main aims of this systematic review are to understand the landscape of dementia mobile apps targeting PLwD and their caregivers with respect to the features of the apps, usability testing, and the privacy and security aspects of the app from the perspective of both app developers/researchers and the end users (PLwD and family caregivers who provide care of PLwD). Extensive databases, including ACM Digital Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Compendex, Embase, Inspec, Ovid MEDLINE(R) Daily, Proquest Dissertations and These Global, PsycINFO, and Scopus, have been searched. All searches are from the inception of the databases. All peer-reviewed studies and articles written in the English language are included. Two reviewers will independently screen and select the studies with the involvement of a third reviewer for disagreements. Data will be abstracted using a custom data extraction form that is made based on the research questions. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists will be used to assess the study quality. As the first review of its kind, the findings from this review will provide valuable insights related to the needs of the dementia care apps for both PLwD and their family caregivers. The review will be relevant to health providers who are interested in using technologies to promote the independence of PLwD and reduce the stress experienced from caregivers of PLwD. The review will also serve as a guide to app developers and researchers to design usable and acceptable apps. In addition, the review will provide critical knowledge of the privacy and security features of the app to reveal the valid concerns from the end users and thus help with the uptake and adoption of the dementia care apps.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Sabrina Cipolletta ◽  
Benedetta Morandini ◽  
Silvia Caterina Maria Tomaino

Author(s):  
Nooreddine Iskandar ◽  
Tatiana Rahbany ◽  
Ali Shokor

Abstract Background: Due to the common instability caused by political and security issues, Lebanese hospitals have experienced acts of terrorism multiple times. The most recent Beirut Explosion even forced several hospitals to cease operations for the first time in decades—but studies show the preparedness levels for such attacks in similar countries are low. Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the experience of Lebanese hospitals with terrorist attacks. Methods: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with various stakeholders to assess their experience with terrorist bombings. Data was analyzed using the thematic analysis method. Results: The researchers found that Lebanese hospitals vary greatly in their structures and procedures. Those differences are a function of 3 contextual factors: location, culture, and accreditation status. Hospitals found near ‘dangerous zones’ were more likely to be aware and to have better response to such events. A severe lack of communication, unity of command, and collaboration between stakeholders has made the process fragmented. Conclusion: The researchers recommend a larger role for the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in this process, and the creation of a platform where Lebanese organizations can share their experiences to improve preparedness and resilience of the Lebanese healthcare system in the face of terrorism.


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