Describing providers’ perspectives on the needs and challenges of family caregivers of African American people living with dementia

ABSTRACT

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the needs and challenges of African American family caregivers of People living with dementia (PLWD) from the perspective of service providers including healthcare and social service providers. The study conducted three online semi-structured focus group interviews with service providers (n = 15). Data were analyzed using Braun & Clarke’s guide to thematic analysis approach. Five themes emerged from the analysis of the focus group data: (i) Inadequate information about resources; (ii) Dementia education; (iii) Burden of dementia on families; (iv) Limited financial support and funding; and (v) Suggestions for needed resources. Service providers expressed the lack of community-based dementia service and support programs in African American communities. Findings from the study indicated the need to provide culturally appropriate information on dementia caregiving. This study adds to the scope of knowledge by exploring the processes of seeking help and using services.

Keywords:

• African Americans
• Dementia caregving
• Dementia Service Providers
• Family Caregivers
• Focus Group

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the all service providers who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by funding given to primary author from the Department of Health Promotion Sciences in the Hudson College of Public Health of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust contract number R22-02 provided additional support from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (K01MD015295). This grant was awarded to Dr. Adam Alexander of Health Promotion Research Center of The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.