African American Dementia Caregivers Preferences and Perceptions

There are well documented physical and mental health costs to family caregivers where considerable research has been aimed at designing interventions to improve health outcomes of caregivers.  However, the burden of caregiving is disproportionately higher in the African American population given that African Americans have an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but are less likely to receive a diagnosis, and when they do, are often receiving the diagnosis in the later stages of disease.  Further, African American caregivers are less likely to utilize formalized community resources, or institutionalize loved ones, and often spend more time in the caregiving role.  African Americans are also disproportionately affected with poor health and shorter survival, and the chronic stress from caregiving, plus burden of health disparities, creates a double jeopardy for poor health outcomes.  The purpose of this study is to examine African American dementia caregivers preferences, and perceptions of: health, health care providers, and sensitivity.  Methods: Twenty-five, 90-minute semi-structured interviews with African American dementia caregivers who participated in either the treatment, or control arm of a completed randomized clinical trial.  Content analysis for themes will be examined.  Results: Common themes will be presented.  Conclusions:  Findings will inform the future development of a culturally tailored intervention for African American dementia caregivers to improve physical and mental health outcomes. 

Learning Objective(s):

At the conclusion of this presentation the learner will be able to discuss preferences and perceptions of African American dementia caregivers.