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Dementia
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Religion, Spirituality, and Ethnicity

What it Means for Caregivers of Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders

Marcie C. Nightingale

University of Pittsburgh, USA, marcie{at}pitt.edu

Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) provide an inordinate and escalating level of care. It has been postulated that: (1) religious beliefs and/or spirituality may assist individuals in their caregiving efforts; and (2) coping strategies may vary depending on ethnicity. The intent of this pilot study was to examine these theories by interviewing five African-American and five white caregivers of persons with AD using demographic and open-ended questions regarding spirituality, religious practices, and ethnicity. Five themes were identified regarding the development of the caregivers' beliefs and practices:

  1. 1. later life development of beliefs;
  2. 2. religious training and practices;
  3. 3. family influences;
  4. 4. impact of ethnicity on caregiving; and
  5. 5. impact of spirituality and religion on caregiving.

All caregivers felt their spirituality and/or religious practices shaped how they approached providing care and all reported that they were influenced by their ethnic background. Most stated that religious practices and spirituality affected how they felt about providing care and that religion and spirituality helped them deal with difficult challenges. Through a better understanding of the importance of different coping mechanisms among caregivers, professionals are able to provide more sensitive care to persons of diverse groups.

Key Words: cultural beliefs • dementia • ethnicity • qualitative • religion • spirituality • stress

Dementia, Vol. 2, No. 3, 379-391 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/14713012030023006
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