Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs

Myint Thein Naing; Ye Phyo Aung; Pyi Hein Kyaw; Tun Tun Naing; Ohnmar Saw; Nwe Nwe Win

doi:doi:10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs

Myint Thein Naing^*

, Ye Phyo Aung

, Pyi Hein Kyaw

, Tun Tun Naing

, Ohnmar Saw

, Nwe Nwe Win

Published in Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience (Volume 10, Issue 4)

Received: 28 September 2026 Accepted: 8 October 2026 Published: 28 October 2026

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Background: Family caregivers provide most day-to-day assistance for people living with dementia in many low- and middle-income settings, yet caregiver experiences and support needs remain poorly documented in Myanmar. Objective: To explore family caregivers’ experiences of caring for people living with dementia, including their understanding of the illness, changing care responsibilities, psychosocial consequences, coping strategies, and perceived unmet support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 15 purposively selected adult family caregivers of people with dementia receiving neurological care at No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews explored recognition of dementia, caregiving tasks, behavioral and psychological symptoms, family roles, burden, coping, service use, and future support needs. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, with reporting guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: An overarching pattern of caring with limited preparedness and support was identified. Six interrelated themes were developed: (1) not knowing what to expect; (2) expanding and multifaceted care requirements; (3) emotional and physical strain of continuous care; (4) changing family roles, decision-making, and cultural responsibility; (5) social and financial consequences; and (6) learning to cope while seeking professional and future-care support. Caregivers’ needs extended beyond disease information to practical skills, symptom management, caregiver support, continuity of care, and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Dementia caregiving in this Yangon neurological-care context was characterized by progressive responsibility, family commitment, and substantial unmet informational, practical, psychosocial, and service needs. Structured caregiver education and continuing support should be integrated into dementia care.

Published in	Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
Page(s)	83-91
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dementia, Family Caregivers, Qualitative Research, Caregiver Burden, Coping, Unmet Needs, Myanmar

References

[1]	Knopman DS, Amieva H, Petersen RC, Chételat G, Holtzman DM, Hyman BT, et al. Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021; 7: 33. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-021-00269-y
[2]	Arvanitakis Z, Shah RC, Bennett DA. Diagnosis and management of dementia: review. JAMA. 2019; 322(16): 1589-1599. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.4782
[3]	Brodaty H, Donkin M. Family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009; 11(2): 217-228.
[4]	Adelman RD, Tmanova LL, Delgado D, Dion S, Lachs MS. Caregiver burden: a clinical review. JAMA. 2014; 311(10): 1052-1060. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.304
[5]	Feast A, Orrell M, Charlesworth G, Melunsky N, Poland F, Moniz-Cook E. Behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia and the challenges for family carers: systematic review. Br J Psychiatry. 2016; 208(5): 429-434. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.153684
[6]	Kumar GS, Thomas PT, Arun M, Mohandas RP, Arshad F, Alladi S. A qualitative exploration of caregiving in advanced dementia: caregiver perspectives on unmet needs in low- and middle-income setting. Indian J Palliat Care. 2025. https://doi.org/10.25259/IJPC_362_2024
[7]	Heng WAM, Lin YP, Chua WL, Chan EY. The early stages of caregiving: a qualitative study into the caregiving experiences of Asian family caregivers of persons with newly-diagnosed dementia. Geriatr Nurs. 2021; 42(6): 1517-1524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.10.015
[8]	Chan EY, Phang KN, Glass GF Jr, Lim WS. Crossing, Trudging and Settling: a phenomenological inquiry into lived experience of Asian family caregivers of older persons with dementia. Geriatr Nurs. 2019; 40(5): 502-509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.03.015
[9]	Nguyen H, Nguyen T, Tran D, Hinton L. “It’s extremely hard but it’s not a burden”: a qualitative study of family caregiving for people living with dementia in Vietnam. PLoS One. 2021; 16(11): e0259788. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259788
[10]	Read ST, Toye C, Wynaden D. A qualitative exploration of family carer’s understandings of people with dementia’s expectations for the future. Dementia (London). 2020. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301220929543
[11]	Read ST, Toye C, Wynaden D. Experiences and expectations of living with dementia: a qualitative study. Collegian. 2017; 24: 427-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2016.09.003
[12]	Theresia I, et al. Experiences of caregivers of people with dementia in Indonesia: a focus group study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2023; 38(12): e6038. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.6038
[13]	Hossain MZ, Tarafdar SA, Kingstone T, Campbell P, Chew-Graham CA. From detection to preparing for the end-of-life: a qualitative exploration of South Asian family carers’ experiences of the journey with dementia. Health Soc Care Community. 2022; 30(6): e5135-e5144. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13930
[14]	Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006; 3(2): 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
[15]	Nowell LS, Norris JM, White DE, Moules NJ. Thematic analysis: striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. Int J Qual Methods. 2017; 16: 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847
[16]	Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007; 19(6): 349-357. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042
[17]	Ardiningrum W, Nasrun MWS, Kusumaningrum P, Damping CE. Needs analysis of family caregivers of people living with dementia in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta. Psychogeriatrics. 2024; 24(4): 897-908. https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.13145
[18]	Jeyagurunathan A, Yuan Q, Samari E, Zhang Y, Goveas R, Ng LL, et al. Facilitators and barriers of help-seeking for persons with dementia in Asia—findings from a qualitative study of informal caregivers. Front Public Health. 2024; 12: 1396056. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1396056
[19]	Zhang X, Wang M, Chen K, Shi N, Cui X, Yang Z, et al. Understanding family caregivers’ needs in coping with the behavioral and psychological symptoms of people with dementia: a hermeneutic-phenomenological study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2024; 101(3): 937-950. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-240629
[20]	Chen F, Hu Z, Li Q, Zheng X. Effectiveness of interventions to support carers of people with dementia in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2025; 40(3): e70054. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.70054

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Naing, M. T., Aung, Y. P., Kyaw, P. H., Naing, T. T., Saw, O., et al. (2026). Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs. Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience, 10(4), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Naing, M. T.; Aung, Y. P.; Kyaw, P. H.; Naing, T. T.; Saw, O., et al. Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs. Clin. Neurol. Neurosci. 2026, 10(4), 83-91. doi: 10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Naing MT, Aung YP, Kyaw PH, Naing TT, Saw O, et al. Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs. Clin Neurol Neurosci. 2026;10(4):83-91. doi: 10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11,
  author = {Myint Thein Naing and Ye Phyo Aung and Pyi Hein Kyaw and Tun Tun Naing and Ohnmar Saw and Nwe Nwe Win},
  title = {Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs},
  journal = {Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {83-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cnn.20261004.11},
  abstract = {Background: Family caregivers provide most day-to-day assistance for people living with dementia in many low- and middle-income settings, yet caregiver experiences and support needs remain poorly documented in Myanmar. Objective: To explore family caregivers’ experiences of caring for people living with dementia, including their understanding of the illness, changing care responsibilities, psychosocial consequences, coping strategies, and perceived unmet support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 15 purposively selected adult family caregivers of people with dementia receiving neurological care at No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews explored recognition of dementia, caregiving tasks, behavioral and psychological symptoms, family roles, burden, coping, service use, and future support needs. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, with reporting guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: An overarching pattern of caring with limited preparedness and support was identified. Six interrelated themes were developed: (1) not knowing what to expect; (2) expanding and multifaceted care requirements; (3) emotional and physical strain of continuous care; (4) changing family roles, decision-making, and cultural responsibility; (5) social and financial consequences; and (6) learning to cope while seeking professional and future-care support. Caregivers’ needs extended beyond disease information to practical skills, symptom management, caregiver support, continuity of care, and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Dementia caregiving in this Yangon neurological-care context was characterized by progressive responsibility, family commitment, and substantial unmet informational, practical, psychosocial, and service needs. Structured caregiver education and continuing support should be integrated into dementia care.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs
AU  - Myint Thein Naing
AU  - Ye Phyo Aung
AU  - Pyi Hein Kyaw
AU  - Tun Tun Naing
AU  - Ohnmar Saw
AU  - Nwe Nwe Win
Y1  - 2026/10/28
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
T2  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
JF  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
JO  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
SP  - 83
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-8930
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
AB  - Background: Family caregivers provide most day-to-day assistance for people living with dementia in many low- and middle-income settings, yet caregiver experiences and support needs remain poorly documented in Myanmar. Objective: To explore family caregivers’ experiences of caring for people living with dementia, including their understanding of the illness, changing care responsibilities, psychosocial consequences, coping strategies, and perceived unmet support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 15 purposively selected adult family caregivers of people with dementia receiving neurological care at No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews explored recognition of dementia, caregiving tasks, behavioral and psychological symptoms, family roles, burden, coping, service use, and future support needs. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, with reporting guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: An overarching pattern of caring with limited preparedness and support was identified. Six interrelated themes were developed: (1) not knowing what to expect; (2) expanding and multifaceted care requirements; (3) emotional and physical strain of continuous care; (4) changing family roles, decision-making, and cultural responsibility; (5) social and financial consequences; and (6) learning to cope while seeking professional and future-care support. Caregivers’ needs extended beyond disease information to practical skills, symptom management, caregiver support, continuity of care, and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Dementia caregiving in this Yangon neurological-care context was characterized by progressive responsibility, family commitment, and substantial unmet informational, practical, psychosocial, and service needs. Structured caregiver education and continuing support should be integrated into dementia care.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Myint Thein Naing

Department of Neurology, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7940-0204
Ye Phyo Aung

Department of Medical Education, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4361-4075
Pyi Hein Kyaw

Department of Medical Education, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-5834-4534
Tun Tun Naing

Department of Medical Education, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0007-3774-6868
Ohnmar Saw

Department of Neurology, No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon, Myanmar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-1503-1553
Nwe Nwe Win

Department of Neurology, Defence Services Medical Academy, Yangon, Myanmar

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2412-075X

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Naing, M. T., Aung, Y. P., Kyaw, P. H., Naing, T. T., Saw, O., et al. (2026). Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs. Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience, 10(4), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Naing, M. T.; Aung, Y. P.; Kyaw, P. H.; Naing, T. T.; Saw, O., et al. Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs. Clin. Neurol. Neurosci. 2026, 10(4), 83-91. doi: 10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Naing MT, Aung YP, Kyaw PH, Naing TT, Saw O, et al. Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs. Clin Neurol Neurosci. 2026;10(4):83-91. doi: 10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11,
  author = {Myint Thein Naing and Ye Phyo Aung and Pyi Hein Kyaw and Tun Tun Naing and Ohnmar Saw and Nwe Nwe Win},
  title = {Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs},
  journal = {Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {83-91},
  doi = {10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.cnn.20261004.11},
  abstract = {Background: Family caregivers provide most day-to-day assistance for people living with dementia in many low- and middle-income settings, yet caregiver experiences and support needs remain poorly documented in Myanmar. Objective: To explore family caregivers’ experiences of caring for people living with dementia, including their understanding of the illness, changing care responsibilities, psychosocial consequences, coping strategies, and perceived unmet support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 15 purposively selected adult family caregivers of people with dementia receiving neurological care at No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews explored recognition of dementia, caregiving tasks, behavioral and psychological symptoms, family roles, burden, coping, service use, and future support needs. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, with reporting guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: An overarching pattern of caring with limited preparedness and support was identified. Six interrelated themes were developed: (1) not knowing what to expect; (2) expanding and multifaceted care requirements; (3) emotional and physical strain of continuous care; (4) changing family roles, decision-making, and cultural responsibility; (5) social and financial consequences; and (6) learning to cope while seeking professional and future-care support. Caregivers’ needs extended beyond disease information to practical skills, symptom management, caregiver support, continuity of care, and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Dementia caregiving in this Yangon neurological-care context was characterized by progressive responsibility, family commitment, and substantial unmet informational, practical, psychosocial, and service needs. Structured caregiver education and continuing support should be integrated into dementia care.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Family Caregiving for People Living with Dementia in Yangon, Myanmar: Experiences, Challenges, Coping, and Unmet Support Needs
AU  - Myint Thein Naing
AU  - Ye Phyo Aung
AU  - Pyi Hein Kyaw
AU  - Tun Tun Naing
AU  - Ohnmar Saw
AU  - Nwe Nwe Win
Y1  - 2026/10/28
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
T2  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
JF  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
JO  - Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience
SP  - 83
EP  - 91
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-8930
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cnn.20261004.11
AB  - Background: Family caregivers provide most day-to-day assistance for people living with dementia in many low- and middle-income settings, yet caregiver experiences and support needs remain poorly documented in Myanmar. Objective: To explore family caregivers’ experiences of caring for people living with dementia, including their understanding of the illness, changing care responsibilities, psychosocial consequences, coping strategies, and perceived unmet support needs. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted among 15 purposively selected adult family caregivers of people with dementia receiving neurological care at No. (2) Military Hospital (500-Bedded), Yangon. Semi-structured in-depth interviews explored recognition of dementia, caregiving tasks, behavioral and psychological symptoms, family roles, burden, coping, service use, and future support needs. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, with reporting guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: An overarching pattern of caring with limited preparedness and support was identified. Six interrelated themes were developed: (1) not knowing what to expect; (2) expanding and multifaceted care requirements; (3) emotional and physical strain of continuous care; (4) changing family roles, decision-making, and cultural responsibility; (5) social and financial consequences; and (6) learning to cope while seeking professional and future-care support. Caregivers’ needs extended beyond disease information to practical skills, symptom management, caregiver support, continuity of care, and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Dementia caregiving in this Yangon neurological-care context was characterized by progressive responsibility, family commitment, and substantial unmet informational, practical, psychosocial, and service needs. Structured caregiver education and continuing support should be integrated into dementia care.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download