Background: Globally, our population is aging. The prevalence of dementia increases dramatically with advancing age. Caring for a person living with dementia affects different people in different ways.
Objectives: In response, this research study was conducted to explore the role, needs and stress of family caregivers (FCGs) for people with dementia as a means of understanding their experience of caring. The study also targeted to identify coping strategies employed by FCGs and explore positive aspects of the caring relationship in relation to their quality of life, information needs, day care and respite care, and emotional support.Methods: To measure individuals’ uniqueness and their specificity in their care-giving experience, this study employed qualitative research design, through semi-structure interview (SSI) as research methods to explore the grounded theory on role, needs and stress of caregivers. The needs of caregivers were documented under their continuum of care: seeking understanding, stabilization, preparation, implementation and adaptation.
Results: Twenty FCG were recruited through purposeful sampling. Results indicated caregiving to dementia is a very demanding task both mentally and physically. Two main categories were formulated from the data: the impact of caring and the need to support their caregivers' role. The need to develop understanding of the effectiveness of specific health and social care interventions showed as highly important.
Conclusion: Individuals’ perspectives need to be integrated into future service planning and decision-making processes. Suggested strategies from FCG’ perspectives that can potentially alleviating their care stress would be illustrated
