Research has suggested that family caregivers of older people with dementia often find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet due to the stress of their daily routine, putting them at increased risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases. The present qualitative study aims to clarify the factors that affect the dietary habits of family caregivers of older people with dementia. A total of 21 family caregivers of outpatients with dementia took part in interviews about their diet during a hospital visit in Japan. Qualitative content analysis was used to systematically identify ideas and patterns emerging from the interview data. The data suggest that dementia care helps family caregivers become more conscious of their own dietary lifestyle choices and increases communication opportunities. On the other hand, caregiver burden was found to have a negative influence on the quality and level of interest in dietary choices of caregivers. Providing timely and useful information on care services to family caregivers who might have hesitated to use them in the past was suggested as a useful initiative to relieve caregiver burden. This study clarified five themes related to the eating habits of family caregivers.
Keywords: Aged; caregivers; dementia; diet; family; qualitative research.