Comparing the experiences of black and white caregivers of dementia patients

Caregivers' capacities to cope with dementia patients are severely challenged as demands for care and impairment levels concomitantly increase. Consequently, the experience can be extremely stressful because it affects many areas of the caregiver's life. Using a conceptual stress development model that treats informal supports and competency as potential mediators, the outcomes of caregiving were examined in samples of black and white caregivers. A perceived lack of informal supports and a sense of incompetency exacerbated stress among the black caregivers but had no effects among the white caregivers. White caregivers were predominantly affected by the impairment of the patient. Cultural differences in caregiver expectations that influence needs are proposed as an explanation for these findings. To be most effective in reducing caregiver stress, social workers must be sensitive to the diversity of values and expectations that can affect the experiences of these individuals.