Korean Family Caregivers’ Perceptions of Care in Dementia Care Units

1. Statement of the problem Dementia is now recognized worldwide as an increasing problem brought about by the rapid growth of the elderly population. The prevalence of elderly persons with dementia in Korea’s growing elderly population ranges from 6.8 to 10.8% of persons 65 and older (Kim & Choi, 2000), and this number is expected to increase spectacularly with the rapid increase of persons in that age group in Korea in next decades. During the last decade Korean society has faced many of the same challenges related to family caregiving for elders with dementia as has the western society. Traditionally, family members in Korea assume total responsibility of caregiving for ill elders. The long-standing value of filial piety that emphasizes the provision of personal care for one’s parents, strongly discourages the family from accepting care services from non-family members. However, traditional family care of elders with dementia has been declining in Korea due to drastic industrialization and urbanization accompanied by rapid economic growth. The number of long-term care facilities for dementia care has continued to increase since they began to appear in the early 1990s. This trend will accelerate as the population ages and dementia increases. Placement in a facility might provide relief from caregiving; however, this transition can result in feelings of guilt, grief, and anguish for family members (Stephens, Kinney, & Ogrocki, 1991). Although the perception exists that family involvement in caregiving ends once institutional placement occurs, most families remain committed to their relatives after nursing home placement Korean Family Caregivers’ Perceptions of Care in Dementia Care Units