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The Understanding and Experiences of Living with Dementia in Chinese New Zealanders

Author

Listed:
  • Gary Cheung

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand)

  • April Yuehan Su

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand)

  • Karen Wu

    (Mental Health Services for Older People, Counties Manukau Health, Auckland 2025, New Zealand)

  • Blake Yue

    (School of Management, Massey University, Auckland 0745, New Zealand)

  • Susan Yates

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand)

  • Adrian Martinez Ruiz

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
    Department of Demographics Epidemiology and Social Determinants, National Institute of Geriatrics of Mexico, Mexico City 10200, Mexico)

  • Rita Krishnamurthi

    (National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland 0627, New Zealand)

  • Sarah Cullum

    (Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
    Mental Health Services for Older People, Counties Manukau Health, Auckland 2025, New Zealand)

Abstract

Little is known about the lived experience of dementia in the New Zealand Chinese community. This study aims to explore the understanding and experiences of living with dementia in Chinese New Zealanders. Participants were recruited from a memory service and a community dementia day programme. In-depth interviews were conducted by bilingual and bicultural researchers. The recorded interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Sixteen people living with dementia and family carers participated in this study. The first theme revealed the lack of understanding of dementia prior to diagnosis, the commonly used term of “brain shrinkage” and that dementia is associated with getting older. The second theme covered the symptoms experienced by people with dementia and how family carers found anhedonia and apathy particularly concerning. The third theme highlighted the tension between cultural obligation and carer stress. The fourth theme is about the stigma attached to dementia. Our results provide some insight into ways to improve dementia care for Chinese New Zealanders, including targeted psychoeducation in the Chinese community to improve awareness and to reduce stigma, access to person-centred interventions, and learning about strategies for healthy ageing to live well with dementia, and emotional support and psychoeducation for family carers to reduce carer stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Gary Cheung & April Yuehan Su & Karen Wu & Blake Yue & Susan Yates & Adrian Martinez Ruiz & Rita Krishnamurthi & Sarah Cullum, 2022. "The Understanding and Experiences of Living with Dementia in Chinese New Zealanders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1280-:d:732062
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dan Liu & Guirong Cheng & Lina An & Xuguang Gan & Yulian Wu & Bo Zhang & Sheng Hu & Yan Zeng & Liang Wu, 2019. "Public Knowledge about Dementia in China: A National WeChat-Based Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fei Li & John Parsons & Gary Cheung, 2024. "Exploring the Support Needs of Chinese Family Carers of People Living with Dementia in New Zealand during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Resilience Resources Framework Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-12, July.

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