Objectives: To report the lived experience of caregivers of persons with dementia in Hong Kong, and to explore their service needs.
Methods: This was a qualitative study of caregivers of persons with dementia. Four focus group interviews, each group comprising 6 to 7 informal caregivers, were conducted. A total of 27 participants were recruited. With the participants' consent, interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Colaizzi's methods for phenomenological analysis were used.
Results: Caregiving in dementia in Hong Kong is as demanding and challenging as reported in other developed communities. 'Confusion regarding diagnosis', 'Emotional impact', 'Difficulty in coping with the care recipient behaviours', 'Provision of care recipient's daily care needs is demanding', and 'Conflicts among social roles' were themes pervasive across every focus group. In addition, the needs of carers changed as the disease of their care recipients progressed.
Conclusions: As the local population continues to age, family caregivers are faced with increasing demands. Understanding their experience is pivotal in the design of effective carer support services. Our findings highlight the sources of strain and unmet needs of Hong Kong Chinese caregivers, which may serve as a guide for future service development.