Experiences of Black American Dementia Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oliver, Sloan; Alexander, Karah; Bennett, Stephanie G.; Hepburn, Kenneth; Henry, Jenyl; Clevenger, Carolyn K.; Epps, Fayron
• Other Names: Anderson Joel G. guest-editor.; Jao Ying-Ling guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of family nursing. Volume 28:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: care partners -- public health crisis -- Alzheimer's disease -- African American -- telemedicine; Family nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1177/10748407221102465
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1074-8407

Abstract

Dementia caregivers are responsible for the daily care and management of individuals who are among the most vulnerable to the serious consequences of COVID-19. This qualitative study explores the experience of Black dementia caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Nineteen Black dementia caregivers were recruited to participate in semi-structured focus groups held in April 2021. Four overarching themes were constructed during analysis: social isolation, decreased well-being, the good and bad of telehealth, and challenges fulfilling health care needs . The results indicate the experience of Black dementia caregivers overlaps with existing literature on the experiences of dementia caregivers of other races during COVID-19. These results can assist in addressing the specific needs and improving the experiences of dementia caregivers in current and future public health crises.