May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month! This annual celebration is dedicated to honoring the rich cultures and histories of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. Although there are many ways to celebrate the vibrant cultures, supporting families or friends who are caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia can be a meaningful and compassionate gesture, particularly given the significant influence of cultural aspects on caregiving that are deeply ingrained in many Asian cultures.

Here are some factors that shed light on how Asian Americans perceive caregiving:

According to AARP, 73% of AAPI people believe that caring for their parents is an expectation — a percentage higher than any other ethnic group. Despite this strong sense of responsibility for caring for elderly family members, care partners often prefer to manage caregiving alone. This may explain why a new report indicates that, compared with other ethnic groups, Asian American dementia care partners reported the highest difficulty in finding support for their own needs, coordinating health care, and experiencing high stress when coordinating care. The report also reveals that Asian Americans are less likely to seek outside help.

Given the diverse nature of the Asian American community, several factors may contribute to the reluctance of many Asian Americans to seek help. These include the stigma that Alzheimer’s and other dementias are frequently wrongly believed to be a form of mental illness, which may cause feelings of embarrassment. Additionally, there may be a lack of awareness or understanding about available support services, as well as a shortage of culturally tailored resources. Language barriers further complicate access to assistance. Moreover, the influence of filial piety within Asian cultures may cause some people to perceive asking for help as a sign of weakness or a failure to meet familial obligations. Consequently, many Asian Americans may not identify themselves as caregivers or care partners, viewing their role as simply carrying out a sense of duty or even a sense of love for their relative.

A caregiving journey can be long, overwhelming, and often isolates care partners. The population of AAPI people living with dementia in Los Angeles County is projected to surpass 68,000 by 2040. Nevertheless, positive change is possible! Alzheimer’s Los Angeles provides culturally and linguistically tailored services to the Asian American community, aiming to overcome stigma through education and help navigate the caregiving journey through customized family-centered caregiving plans.

If you are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or another dementia and find yourself uncertain about how to connect with others, consider attending a Caregiver Wellness Day! Alzheimer’s Los Angeles is hosting three Caregiver Wellness Days in May and June. Each multicultural event is designed to offer a day of relaxation, inspiration, and connection for dementia care partners. These events will take place on May 9^th in Palmdale, May 30^th in Metro Los Angeles, and June 22^nd in Alhambra. RSVP is required. For more information and RSVP, please view the Caregiver Wellness Day webpage.