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August 16, 2026BMC GeriatricsOpen Access

The experience and coping of decision-making dilemma of family caregivers of elderly patients with moderate to severe dementia: a qualitative study

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Authors

YOYe OuyangLXLiu XiyiYCYing Chen

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Overview

Qualitative study uncovers complex decision-making dilemmas in family caregivers of older adults with moderate to severe dementia, highlighting the need for structured support systems.

Key Points

  • Investigate the lived experiences and core themes of decision-making dilemmas faced by family caregivers of elderly individuals with moderate to severe dementia.
  • Purposive sampling with the principle of maximum variation was used to recruit 14 family caregivers from a tertiary hospital in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China, between October 2025 and February 2026.
  • Qualitative data were gathered via face-to-face interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis using NVivo 15 software.
  • Caregivers experience dilemmas balancing competing care goals against limited financial and practical resources.
  • Caregivers face conflicts when negotiating between clinical authority, family knowledge, and disease prognosis uncertainty.
  • Tension regularly occurs when attempting to balance intense emotional involvement and relational friction with rational decision-making.

Cite This Study

Ouyang et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a817ab4f2fb91fc834aeb6ahttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-08145-8
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Family caregivers’ perspectives on ethical challenges in dementia care2026
  2. 2Needs, resources, and barriers among family caregivers of people with dementia: a qualitative study2026
  3. 3Living well with dementia: a qualitative interview study on family caregivers’ call for more person- and family-centered dementia support2025 · 2 citations
  4. 4Ethical and Emotional Dilemmas in the Medical Decision‐Making Process Among Family Members of Intensive Care Patients: A Qualitative Study2026
  5. 5Acceptability of Using a Decision Aid to Support Family Carers of People With Dementia Towards the End of Life: A Qualitative Study2024