ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with suggestions and recommendations outlined in this book in 2006, on designing interventions in African American families. Despite an increase in the number of “evidence-based” interventions since 2006, interventions on African American families are still very limited. The current chapter presents demographic information on the growing aging population, especially among older African Americans. One major implication of this growing population is the increase in dementia in later life and the need for family caregiving. Discussions are provided on the changing support network (structure and composition) in African American families and declining availability of caregivers to family members with dementia. Discussions are also provided on how African American caregivers cope in their caregiving role by using positive appraisals of caregiving, engaging in religious activities, and relying on faith. The chapter ends with new and emerging suggestions and recommendations to inform and direct future interventions for African American caregivers to older family members with dementia. The suggestions and recommendations include a range of discussions on conceptual ideas, community engagement, family unit of informal caregivers, workforce and economic issues, linking and bridging the resources, adjusting for the cultural implications, and dementia awareness and education initiatives.
