Dementia Caregivers’ Perceptions of Types of Long-term Care

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the financial and emotional effects the disease can pose on female caregivers living in the US aged 20-60 who also are the daughters of dementia patients and how these effects have changed their perception of types of long-term care. My question for this research was, what are the perceptions of the types of long-term care from women in their 20s-60s living in the US who are primary caregivers and daughters of dementia patients, and how does it change over time, affected by emotional and financial aspects? The study also addresses aspects these caregivers consider when choosing between types of long-term care (institutional vs. non-institutional) and why. This paper also highlights how the familial relationship—specifically, the daughter-parent relationship—between caregivers and parents with dementia affects such decision-making and how this relationship evolves. Finally, some possible solutions to combat any stated negative aspects are provided.