Exploring Alzheimer’s disease perceptions among Korean Americans through an online community: A text mining approach

• Insights into Korean Americans’ perceptions and experiences with ADRD through text-mining of unsolicited online community posts • Transnational caregiving emerged as a major theme, highlighting immigrant families’ cross-border challenges in ADRD care • Need for culturally and linguistically appropriate U.S. care services and stronger public support Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) have a profound impact on older adults and their families. Research indicates that racial/ethnic minority groups, including Korean Americans (KAs), encounter disparities in disease prevalence, diagnosis delays, and access to social and healthcare resources. KAs, mostly first-generation immigrants, face unique challenges due to limited English proficiency and cultural differences that impede healthcare access. This study aims to explore discussions about ADRD among KAs to gain insights into their perceptions and experiences. We analyzed 882 posts from MissyUSA, one of the largest online KAs communities, collected between 2015 and 2023. A text-mining thematic analysis was employed. Four themes emerged: (1) transnational caregiving, (2) the need for culturally and linguistically appropriate care services, (3) the need for caregiving assistance from the public sector, and (4) preventative measures for ADRD. The findings highlight the complex needs of KAs in global contexts. Many participants struggled with finding reliable care information and facilities for parents in the U.S. and Korea, reflecting the challenges of caregiving as immigrants. Locating and accessing culturally and linguistically compatible healthcare services and public support in the U.S. intensified KA caregiving families. Culturally and linguistically tailored public health education to correct misinformation about ADRD and caregiving within this community is needed. Implications for practice and policy are discussed.