CAREGIVING FOR HISPANIC ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE PATIENTS - UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

The authors analyze aspects of caregiving for Hispanic Alzheimer's dis ease (AD)patients. A review of the literature on caregiving and ethnic ity and data concerning caregiving for AD patients in different Hispan ic groups are presented. The presence of ethnicity-related differences in caregiving for Hispanic AD patients is confirmed. These difference s, however, appear to be present largely in certain areas, such as hou sehold composition, distribution of caregiving roles, help-seeking beh avior, and site of caregiving. The authors consider areas that need to be addressed in future research and specific modifications to current caregiving models for the study of AD patients in the Hispanic commun ity.