In many communities around the world, informal caregivers of older adults with dementia represent an essential, yet often underappreciated, source of long-term care. The present study aimed to determine the personal experiences of such caregivers, which could be instrumental for developing means of improving the quality of care for both care receivers and their informal caregivers. Five semi-structured focus-group discussions were held. The participants (n = 31) were all informal caregivers of older adults with dementia. The focus-group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive approach was used, and thematic data analysis was applied. Four thematic categories were identified: learning caregiving through personal experience; implications of caregiving on social wellbeing; caregivers’ contradictory emotions regarding care delivery; and addressing challenges regarding care provision. This study revealed, among the informal caregivers, a variety of experiences, contradicting feelings, and problem-solving strategies relating to the care of older adults with mental disorders. Becoming an effective caregiver involves professional and psychological development. Developing caregiving skills, supportive environment and positive attitude can help facilitate providing care. Caregiving largely impacts the emotional, physical, and social wellbeing of the person; thus, comprehensive approaches are needed to prevent burnout and associated social disadvantages.

中文翻译：

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立陶宛非正式护理人员照顾老年痴呆症患者个人经历的定性研究

在世界各地的许多社区中，老年痴呆症患者的非正式照料者是长期照料的重要但常常被忽视的来源。本研究旨在确定此类照料者的个人经历，这可能有助于开发提高接受照料者及其非正式照料者的照料质量的手段。举行了五次半结构化焦点小组讨论。参与者（n = 31）都是老年痴呆症的非正式护理人员。焦点小组的讨论是录音和逐字记录的。使用归纳法，并应用主题数据分析。确定了四个主题类别：通过个人经验学习护理；照顾对社会福祉的影响；护理人员在提供护理方面的矛盾情绪；并应对提供护理方面的挑战。这项研究发现，在非正式的照护者中，与老年人精神疾病患者的护理有关的各种经历，矛盾的情绪和解决问题的策略。成为有效的保姆需要专业和心理上的发展。发展护理技能，支持性环境和积极态度可以帮助促进提供护理。照料在很大程度上影响人的情感，身体和社会福祉；因此，需要采取综合措施来防止倦怠和相关的社会弊端。以及与精神障碍老年人护理有关的解决问题的策略。成为有效的保姆需要专业和心理上的发展。发展护理技能，支持性环境和积极态度可以帮助促进提供护理。照料在很大程度上影响人的情感，身体和社会福祉；因此，需要采取综合措施来防止倦怠和相关的社会弊端。以及与精神障碍老年人护理有关的解决问题的策略。成为有效的保姆需要专业和心理上的发展。发展护理技能，支持性环境和积极态度可以帮助促进提供护理。照料在很大程度上影响人的情感，身体和社会福祉；因此，需要采取综合措施来防止倦怠和相关的社会弊端。