"It's Akin to Standing Alone on the Platform": A Qualitative Analysis of Family Caregivers' Perceived Benefits of Conversations with Professional Dementia Caregivers.

Abstract

Family caregivers often face challenges in navigating care decisions and maintaining involvement after their relatives transition to long-term care facilities. This study explores family caregivers' perspectives on the benefits of engaging in conversations with professional caregivers in long-term dementia care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 family caregivers in Denmark. Using thematic and template analysis, five core themes were constructed, highlighting both emotional and practical motivations for communicating with healthcare professionals: (1) feeling disconnected and uninformed about their loved one's care, (2) managing emotional challenges while seeking reassurance, (3) leveraging professional expertise for guidance, (4) fostering collaboration through openness, and (5) achieving mutual understanding and perspective shifts. The findings underscore the critical role of open and ongoing communication among family and professional caregivers in building trust, addressing family caregivers' emotional and informational needs, and supporting them in navigating the shared caregiving roles of long-term dementia care. In addition, the findings point to the potential benefits of structured dialogues to promote family involvement and person-centered care in long-term dementia settings.