Group Work with Asian and Asian American Family Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia

Abstract

Abstract Older immigrant populations are growing rapidly, and the number of family members serving as caregivers for these older adults is increasing as well. This chapter presents approaches to working with immigrant family caregivers of individuals with dementia, focusing on Asian and Asian American family members. Multifaceted needs of these caregivers, ways to provide a culturally responsive psychoeducational support group, and common themes that mental health practitioners need to understand when working with this population are discussed. The proposed support group for immigrant family caregivers includes reviewing information about dementia and treatment, dementia caregiving skills, stress management, and positive aspects of dementia family caregiving. Unique characteristics of the Asian family caregivers that need to be addressed are reviewed, including each immigrant family’s acculturation level, language proficiency, immigration status, and the impact of the Coronavirus. Approaches to termination and evaluation of the group work with Asian immigrant caregivers are presented.