It’s a Family Affair: Establishing a Community-Based Research Partnership to Develop a Culturally Tailored, Family-Centered Dementia Caregiving Program

Older Black individuals are two times more likely than older White individuals to develop dementia; due to the significant cognitive changes that occur, Black families assume substantial caregiving responsibilities to support family members. Despite the disproportionate impact Black families face, minimal research has focused on family-centered dementia caregiving as a means to build capacity and make informed decisions among the entire family in routine caregiving. Dr. Rachel O’Conor and Dr. Tonya Roberson (Executive Director of Helping Communities Help Themselves) are establishing a community-based research partnership to develop a culturally tailored, family-centered dementia caregiving program for individuals living in far south Chicago. Together, Dr. Roberson and Dr. O’Conor are engaging a team of stakeholders in a series of meetings and conducting 30 key informant interviews with residents of the far south Chicago area to develop a culturally tailored family-centered dementia caregiving program.