ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the barriers of primary informal caregivers to caring for persons living with dementia (PLWDs) in Barbados.

Methods: A qualitative, phenomenological methodology was adopted. Eight in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with primary informal caregivers of PLWDs. Transcripts were analysed according to Giorgi’s four-step phenomenological framework.

Results: Four themes emerged: imbalanced family dynamics, financial and time constraints, dissatisfaction with formal care services, and misunderstanding of complex symptomatology.

Conclusion: Understanding the lived experiences of informal caregiving highlighted the specific barriers to providing optimal care for PLWDs in Barbados. The ‘Strategy and Plan of Action on Dementias in Older Persons (2015–2019)’ by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization guides the support for caregivers, and this study provides context-based evidence to pursue effective approaches. Results are critical to the appropriate design of contextually appropriate training and services in support of informal caregiving.