Experiences of family caregivers with day-care centers for elders in Southern China: a qualitative study

Background: With its massive older population, China faces challenges related to elderly support and care. One of the proposed solutions is to diversify elderly support systems. Towards this goal, the establishment of day-care centres is a new Chinese endeavour. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted among the family caregivers of elderly residents enrolled in day-care centres in Shenzhen, a Southern Chinese city, to explore and understand the experiences and factors that might affect family caregivers of frail elders enrolled in day-care centres. Twenty participants were recruited from these centres. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and were analysed via thematic analysis. Findings: The three major themes were: 'I am a traditional person': the impacts of ren and xiao, 'caring made me tired': mobility and environment barriers, and 'I am not young': relaxation feelings of family caregivers. Conclusions: The findings indicated that the day-care centres presented both challenges and opportunities to family caregivers, and the psychological and cultural services at these centres must be further enhanced.