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Caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease: The experience of African-American and Caucasian caregivers

C. J. Farran, DNSc, RN, FAAN

Community and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University, College of Nursing and Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, Illinois

K. L. Graham, MA

Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Lukes’ Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois

Existing research on caregiving and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has focused primarily on Caucasian family caregivers with considerably less information focused on African-American family caregivers. The purpose of this study was to explore African-American caregivers’ perception of caregiving and related care issues. A total of 34-caregivers (the majority being African-American) from the metropolitan area of Chicago, who cared for a close relative with AD at home, participated in five focus groups. Four major themes emerged from the qualitative data analysis:

•Understanding the illness;

•Dealing with the impaired family member;

•Dealing with others and the impact of the disease; and

•Adopting a management philosophy.

Recommendations are made for future family education and outreach efforts for African-American caregivers, as well as for clinicians and researchers.

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