The early stages of caregiving: A qualitative study into the caregiving experiences of Asian family caregivers of persons with newly-diagnosed dementia

Background: In Asian societies, the responsibility of caring for persons with dementia often falls upon an immediate family member. However, little attention has been paid to the early stages of caregiving, as well as their transition into a more experienced caregiver. Methods: Thus, a qualitative descriptive study involving a purposive sample of 11 main family caregivers of a person with newly diagnosed dementia was recruited from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Findings: Three themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) Suspicions to seeking confirmation of dementia, (2) Grappling with dementia diagnosis, and (3) Making adjustments for the future. Areas of needs and support identified during the early caregiving journey suggest the need for caregivers to be prepared for the practical and emotional challenges. Conclusions: Unique to the Asian culture, our findings put forth the advocacy of engaging persons with dementia in the discussions of their long-term care and options.