Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review

Abstract Background As the world’s most populous country, India faces a growing challenge in addressing dementia, in which advancing age remains the strongest risk factor. Approximately 8.8 million Indians over the age of 60 are currently affected by this condition. While much of the research on dem...

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Main Authors: Daniela Lillekroken, Liv Halvorsrud, Heidi Bjørge, Sailaxmi Gandhi, Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar, Alka Rani Goyal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12146-x
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author Daniela Lillekroken
Liv Halvorsrud
Heidi Bjørge
Sailaxmi Gandhi
Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar
Alka Rani Goyal
author_facet Daniela Lillekroken
Liv Halvorsrud
Heidi Bjørge
Sailaxmi Gandhi
Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar
Alka Rani Goyal
author_sort Daniela Lillekroken
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background As the world’s most populous country, India faces a growing challenge in addressing dementia, in which advancing age remains the strongest risk factor. Approximately 8.8 million Indians over the age of 60 are currently affected by this condition. While much of the research on dementia caregiving focuses on Western societies, caregiving experiences are shaped profoundly by cultural and socioeconomic contexts, which vary significantly in India. Unique social norms, combined with limited resources, make the burden on dementia caregivers in India both distinct and understudied. This scoping review synthesized existing literature on the experiences, challenges, and needs of dementia caregivers in India, providing critical insights for developing culturally tailored support systems and informing public health initiatives. Methods A comprehensive database search for literature was conducted in April 2022 and updated in September 2024 in six databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and Epistemonikos). The databases were systematically searched for original qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed studies conducted in India between 2000 and 2024. The scoping review was registered with the Open Science Framework and was reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist (PRISMA-ScR). Results After identifying, screening, and reviewing articles for eligibility, we critically appraised and included a sample of 27 studies in this review. The data synthesis process identified three main themes: (1) navigating the dual realities of caregiving: challenges and rewards for family caregivers in India, (2) gaps in support for home-based care: challenges faced by family caregivers in rural parts of India, and (3) addressing the present and future needs of caregivers for people with dementia in India. Conclusion This scoping review reveals the experiences, challenges, and needs of caregivers for people with dementia, including caregiver burden, stress, and poor health among caregivers resulting from inadequate support, insufficient respite care, and a lack of information about dementia. Health and social services offering dementia care are critically needed in India, where population aging is imminent. Trial registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/4MJDC .
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spelling doaj-art-a6a56b9ea3d04b56b3e3e9ca51122c242025-01-05T12:12:42ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-12-0124112810.1186/s12913-024-12146-xCaregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping reviewDaniela Lillekroken0Liv Halvorsrud1Heidi Bjørge2Sailaxmi Gandhi3Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar4Alka Rani Goyal5Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Nursing, National Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesDepartment of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesDepartment of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan UniversityAbstract Background As the world’s most populous country, India faces a growing challenge in addressing dementia, in which advancing age remains the strongest risk factor. Approximately 8.8 million Indians over the age of 60 are currently affected by this condition. While much of the research on dementia caregiving focuses on Western societies, caregiving experiences are shaped profoundly by cultural and socioeconomic contexts, which vary significantly in India. Unique social norms, combined with limited resources, make the burden on dementia caregivers in India both distinct and understudied. This scoping review synthesized existing literature on the experiences, challenges, and needs of dementia caregivers in India, providing critical insights for developing culturally tailored support systems and informing public health initiatives. Methods A comprehensive database search for literature was conducted in April 2022 and updated in September 2024 in six databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science and Epistemonikos). The databases were systematically searched for original qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed studies conducted in India between 2000 and 2024. The scoping review was registered with the Open Science Framework and was reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist (PRISMA-ScR). Results After identifying, screening, and reviewing articles for eligibility, we critically appraised and included a sample of 27 studies in this review. The data synthesis process identified three main themes: (1) navigating the dual realities of caregiving: challenges and rewards for family caregivers in India, (2) gaps in support for home-based care: challenges faced by family caregivers in rural parts of India, and (3) addressing the present and future needs of caregivers for people with dementia in India. Conclusion This scoping review reveals the experiences, challenges, and needs of caregivers for people with dementia, including caregiver burden, stress, and poor health among caregivers resulting from inadequate support, insufficient respite care, and a lack of information about dementia. Health and social services offering dementia care are critically needed in India, where population aging is imminent. Trial registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/4MJDC .https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12146-xDementiaCaregivers’ experiencesIndiaPeople with dementiaScoping review
spellingShingle Daniela Lillekroken
Liv Halvorsrud
Heidi Bjørge
Sailaxmi Gandhi
Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar
Alka Rani Goyal
Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review
BMC Health Services Research
Dementia
Caregivers’ experiences
India
People with dementia
Scoping review
title Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review
title_full Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review
title_fullStr Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review
title_short Caregivers’ experiences, challenges, and needs in caring for people with dementia in India: a scoping review
title_sort caregivers experiences challenges and needs in caring for people with dementia in india a scoping review
topic Dementia
Caregivers’ experiences
India
People with dementia
Scoping review
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-12146-x
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