Abstract
Black families in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) often provide extensive dementia caregiving while navigating limited culturally aligned support and longstanding structural barriers. These challenges occur alongside higher dementia risk in Black communities and persistent gaps in culturally safe assessments, early diagnosis, and caregiver education. Although social support is known to reduce caregiver burden, little is understood about how Black caregivers interpret, access, and mobilize support within systems shaped by racialization, gendered expectations, and socioeconomic constraints. This study addresses this gap by examining how social support functions in the everyday caregiving experiences of Black adults and how these supports influence their ability to sustain care. Guided by Critical Theory and an Intersectionality lens, this qualitative study uses Straussian Grounded Theory to explore the experiences of Black adults providing unpaid dementia care in the GTA. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit twenty to thirty caregivers through community organizations and dementia support networks. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and two focus groups. Analysis follow open, axial, and selective coding supported by memo-writing, constant comparison, and reflexivity to ensure analytic rigour. Anticipated findings include insights into how relational ties, faith communities, cultural expectations, and systemic inequities shape the emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal support available to caregivers. This study informs equity-focused nursing practice and guide the development of culturally safe programs and policies that strengthen support for Black families navigating dementia care.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Dementia Caregiving, Black Families, Social Support, Intersectionality, Cultural Perspectives, Aging, Social Determinants of Health, Caregiver Experiences, Health Equity, Qualitative Research, Straussian Grounded Theory, Community-Based Care, Racialization, Family Caregiving, Cultural Safety, Support Networks, Aging in Place
