Awareness and Attitudes of South Asian Family Caregivers in Dementia Care in Toronto

This study explored awareness and the attitudes of South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers toward dementia care.

The study included 45 family caregivers (>55 years) purposively for the face-to-face interviews between February and March 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. The study used semi-structured questions and applied thematic content analysis.

Three main themes emerged related to dementia: a) caregivers' awareness of dementia, b: awareness of prevention and treatment and needs for dementia care, and c) caregivers' attitudes towards dementia. Many caregivers defined dementia as memory loss and forgetfulness. They also perceived anxiety, depression, and aging were risk factors for dementia, and dementia was an unpreventable and incurable disease. Moreover, many were unaware of the appropriate health providers for diagnosing and managing dementia and of non-pharmacological care for dementia. The caregivers perceived dementia as a shameful disease, and they would not go for a diagnosis even if they had risks for dementia and would hide their dementia after diagnosis. Many did not want to be a caregiver for a person with dementia in the family. Many caregivers confessed that training was essential to improve their knowledge about dementia.

There was a lack of knowledge about dementia, its prevention, and treatments among South Asian Bangladeshi family caregivers. Dementia was associated with shame, and they had less interest in caring for the person with dementia. For the purpose of enhancing awareness, lowering stigma, and involving people in dementia care, educational instruction in their native tongue is required.