Existing research on caregiving and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has focused primarily on Caucasian family caregivers with considerably less information focused on African-American family caregivers. The purpose of this study was to explore African-American caregivers’ perception of caregiving and related care issues. A total of 34-caregivers (the majority being African-American) from the metropolitan area of Chicago, who cared for a close relative with AD at home, participated in five focus groups. Four major themes emerged from the qualitative data analysis:
•Understanding the illness;
•Dealing with the impaired family member;
•Dealing with others and the impact of the disease; and
•Adopting a management philosophy.
Recommendations are made for future family education and outreach efforts for African-American caregivers, as well as for clinicians and researchers.
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