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This study explores the physical and mental stress of caregivers for demented elderly families, and their coping strategies for behavioral and the psychological symptoms of dementia(BPSD). Moreover, the research attempts to investigate the status of family caregivers using long-term care (LTC) resources. Qualitative research method was applied, and the study population was limited to the caregivers who had lived with the care receivers and maintained for more than six months. The research focused on the caregivers only who had taken domain caring responsibility in the demented elderly families. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect the experience sharing of interviewees. Research framework was developed from the research literature for analyzing the recorded notes which had been reviewed and confirmed by interviewees. The research found that the pressure of home caregivers mainly comes from insufficient knowledge of disease knowledge and care skills. The family is difficult to face many changes brought by the demented, which cause load heavier and affects the original life of family. Family caregivers often seek to relieve stress by participating in community activities, or seeking assistance from other family members or domestic helpers, and LTC services. The professional assistances provided by long-term care organizations help caregivers to improve care methods continuously. The analysis shows that the LTC organizations can provide strong support to most home caregivers. However, people with dementia have different necessaries for long-term care resources or services at each stage of physical changes. Therefore, they have different comments to present LTC services. The study advices government improve long-term care system to organize various support measures and resources for family caregivers, in order to reduce the potential of family tragedies. It is also suggested to do more in positive experience research of caregivers in future, and thus provide more positive references for caregivers in dementia families. |