When Care Depends on the Caregiver: Lived Experiences of Latino Families Navigating Dementia Care Pathways

Introduction Latino families shoulder a disproportionate share of dementia care in the United States, yet encounter multilayered barriers that shape access, timeliness, and quality. This study explores the experiences of Latino care partners, focusing on how system‑level, cultural, and linguistic factors shape dementia care. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using semi‑structured interviews with care partners of Latino individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Interviews were conducted by phone or videoconference by a bilingual interviewer, and the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Twenty-one participants were recruited. Two meta‑themes captured participants’ experiences. The first theme was: The Mismatch Between the Healthcare System and the Lived Realities of Latino Families Affected by Dementia, which included three subthemes: a) Linguistic barriers that referred to the quality and dialect fit (over‑literal jargon, unfamiliar regional vocabulary, poor adaptation to literacy); b) Cultural misfit, where dementia-care programs were not culturally or linguistically appropriate, or programs where cultural norms were disregarded; and c) Structural and systemic barriers, such as communication failures (e.g., voicemail loops, no responsiveness) and long waits/fragmented pathways that broke clinical momentum (e.g., months to a year for specialty appointment). The second theme was: The Central Role of the Latino Caregiver in Navigating Dementia Care, where, in the absence of pathway ownership, care partners served as navigators, interpreters, coordinators, and safety monitors, while also bearing the emotional and financial strain. Discussion The narratives from care partners reveal specific mechanisms (e.g., caregiver hyper‑advocacy and “maze‑like” coordination failures) that, if addressed, can guide intervention design and policy aimed at redistributing coordination back to the system and improving outcomes for Latino families.