Stressors and Acceptability of Services Among Black Caregivers of Persons With Memory Problems

The purpose of the current study was to identify stressors of Black family caregivers (FCGs) of persons with memory problems (PWMPs), services of interest, and barriers to use of these services. Black FCGs were recruited from the Alzheimer's family program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and affiliated geriatric clinics, media sources, and word-of-mouth referrals. Of 38 Black FCGs interviewed, 26 (68%) were female, 18 (47%) were employed, and 21 (55%) were adult children. Average age of FCGs was 52.11 years. Mean scores for the AD8 Dementia Screening Scale (mean = 13.95, SD = 2.17) and Clinical Dementia Scale Sum of Boxes (mean = 7.29, SD = 0.87) were higher than clinical cutoffs. The most common stressors for Black FCGs were PWMPs' inability to remember who they were, managing care recipients' financial affairs, and managing PWMPs' comorbid conditions. FCGs were most interested in educational material regarding treatment and diagnosis (55.3%), caring for people with dementia (52.6%), understanding dementia (52.6%), and financial/ legal services (52.6%). FCGs stated that transportation difficulties and the need for a relief person were barriers to use of services. Results suggest that Black FCGs may be more likely to participate in interventions that include virtual conferencing modalities.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to identify the stressors, services of interest, and barriers to use of services for Black family caregivers of persons with memory problems. The study found that the most common stressors for Black family caregivers were the memory problems patients, managing their financial affairs, and managing their comorbid conditions. The caregivers were most interested in educational material on treatment and diagnosis, caring for people with dementia, understanding dementia, and financial/legal services. Barriers to use of services included transportation difficulties and the need for a relief person. The results suggest that interventions that include virtual conferencing modalities may be more effective for Black family caregivers.