Support Required for Family Caregivers of Older Individuals with Dementia:

This study examined the cognitive transformation process of participants and the ideal structure of community-based support for family caregivers, focusing on a symposium centered on narratives from family members caring for older adults with dementia.A questionnaire survey was conducted among 150 participants of a symposium held in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, in fiscal 2024.Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative descriptive analysis and quantitative content analysis were applied to the open-ended responses from 57 participants.Analysis of participants' motivations revealed four key themes: the acquisition of knowledge regarding dementia care, interest in family caregivers' experiences, willingness to apply insights to professional practice, and recommendations from professionals or acquaintances.Post-participation insights were categorized into the emotions and awareness gained from caregivers' narratives, the re-evaluation of personal life views regarding dementia care, a re-thinking of support for family caregivers, and the deepening of understanding regarding interprofessional roles.Furthermore, co-occurrence network analysis identified five structural clusters: understanding older adults with dementia, challenges in the support system, understanding family caregivers, securing accessible consultation spaces, and issues in information dissemination.The findings indicate that the narratives of family caregivers served as a catalyst for transformative learning, deconstructing participants' existing values and prompting a reconstruction of meaning.For sustainable support, it is essential to promote the dissemination of accurate and practical knowledge, foster attitudinal transformation in both residents and professionals through caregivers' experiences, develop comprehensive support systems including psychological care, construct accessible spaces and organic relationships, and strengthen information dissemination regarding resources and consultation desks.These results provide a theoretical foundation for educational approaches aimed at realizing a dementia-inclusive society as envisioned by the Basic Act on Dementia.