Comprehensive Care for Patients with Dementia: A Qualitative Analysis

Background: Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older adults globally.The complex, varying, and progressive clinical expressions of dementia require comprehensive, multipronged programs of care.Such programs are associated with improved quality of life for patients with dementia and their family caregivers.Yet fragments exist across aging specialty sectors that limit the widespread dissemination of multipronged dementia care programming.Furthermore, little is known about family caregivers' satisfaction with the care provided to their partners or family members living with dementia.This study aimed to explore family caregivers' perceptions of the delivery of critical components to comprehensive dementia care, including the thoroughness of diagnostic screening and referrals to geriatricians and family caregiver training programs.Methods: Semi-structured interview data were collected from 11 family caregivers of a partner, parent, or sibling living with dementia.The 11 participating family caregivers were responsible for a care recipient with dementia residing memory care facilities in Southern California.Results: Three themes were identified: 1) family caregivers' dissatisfaction with a lack of thorough diagnostic screening for dementia in the care recipients, 2) family caregivers' satisfaction with referrals to geriatricians and caregiver training programs, and 3) family caregivers' perceived impact of COVID-19 on limited medical resources for the care recipients.Conclusions: Comprehensive care programs are needed that promote timely diagnostic screening, referrals to geriatricians, and family caregiver training programs.