“I was Confused About How to Take Care of Mom Because this Disease is Different Everyday”: Vietnamese American Caregivers’ Understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease

This study explored how Vietnamese American caregivers understand AD and provide care to family members with AD. Twenty caregivers who have provided care to a family member with AD participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Several themes were identified in the caregivers’ understanding of AD:(a) “Now I know:” the disruptions, shocks and surprises leading up to the initial diagnosis; (b) The frustrations of managing family members’ cognitive impairments; (c)“Going with the flow:” challenges in managing personality and behavioral changes; (d) The exhaustion of around-the-clock careg iving; (e)“Taking it day by day” in the face of progressively worsening symptoms. Underlining the participants ’ descriptions of AD was a shared understanding of the progressively worsening, complex and unpredictable nature of the disease that makes it challenging for family caregivers on a daily basis. Findings provide important implications for healthcare workers’ outreach to Vietnamese American famili es to ease the caregiving experience through culturally-responsive education, thereby enhancing the families’ ability to recognize the early symptoms and seek appropriate help.

Source: Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology - February 27, 2020 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research