Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs

Background: Family caregivers provide most day-to-day assistance for people living with dementia in many low- and middle-income settings, yet caregiver experiences and support needs remain poorly documented in Myanmar. Objective: To explore family caregivers’ experiences of caring for people living with dementia, including their understanding of the illness, changing care responsibilities, psychosocial consequences, coping strategies, and perceived unmet support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 15 purposively selected adult family caregivers of people with dementia receiving neurological care at No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews explored recognition of dementia, caregiving tasks, behavioral and psychological symptoms, family roles, burden, coping, service use, and future support needs. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, with reporting guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: An overarching pattern of caring with limited preparedness and support was identified. Six interrelated themes were developed: (1) not knowing what to expect; (2) expanding and multifaceted care requirements; (3) emotional and physical strain of continuous care; (4) changing family roles, decision-making, and cultural responsibility; (5) social and financial consequences; and (6) learning to cope while seeking professional and future-care support. Caregivers’ needs extended beyond disease information to practical skills, symptom management, caregiver support, continuity of care, and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Dementia caregiving in this Yangon neurological-care context was characterized by progressive responsibility, family commitment, and substantial unmet informational, practical, psychosocial, and service needs. Structured caregiver education and continuing support should be integrated into dementia care.