Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jun 24.
doi: 10.1111/ger.70001. Online ahead of print.

Experience of Foreign Domestic Caregivers in Oral Hygiene Care for Older Adults With Dementia in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study

Sumandar  1   2 , Kuo-Hsun Lu  3 , Min-Tao Hsu  1 , Hsiao-Ling Huang  4   5   6 , Shu-Fen Wung  7 , Chang-Chun Chen  8 , Pei-Chao Lin  1   5   6   9   10
Affiliations

Experience of Foreign Domestic Caregivers in Oral Hygiene Care for Older Adults With Dementia in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study

Sumandar et al. Gerodontology. .

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of Indonesian domestic paid caregivers in providing oral hygiene care for older adults with dementia.

Background: As dementia progresses, individuals increasingly rely on their caregivers for help with daily oral care.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Indonesian domestic caregivers were recruited through purposive sampling at four community-based dementia service sites in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. A total of 12 Indonesian female domestic caregivers participated in face-to-face interviews, which lasted between 30 and 70 min. The interview transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis approach.

Results: Three main themes and six sub-themes were identified from the interviews: (1) caring for the oral health of older adults with dementia as one would for a family member, (2) providing person-centred interactions during oral hygiene routines and (3) addressing the systemic and practical challenges related to oral hygiene.

Conclusion: Indonesian female domestic caregivers recognise the importance of consistently providing oral hygiene care to older adults with dementia. There is a need for training programmes to improve caregiving skills, create supportive environments and foster a positive approach to care.

Keywords: caregivers; dementia; oral hygiene; qualitative research.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Alzheimer's Disease International, “Dementia Statistics,” accessed November 11, 2024, https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia‐facts‐figures/dementia‐statistics/.
    1. National Development Council, “Population Aging,” accessed November 11, 2024, https://www.ndc.gov.tw/en/Content_List.aspx?n=85E9B2CDF4406753.
    1. Focus Taiwan, “Around 8% of Taiwan's Seniors Suffer From Dementia: Ministry,” accessed November 11, 2024, https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202403210022.
    1. B. Shieu, C. H. Teng, Y. N. Chan, et al., “Comparing the Experiences of Participants With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia During an Oral Health Intervention,” Innovation in Aging 7, no. 9 (2023): igad123, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad123.
    1. S. Kc, M. Aulakh, S. Curtis, S. Scambler, and J. E. Gallagher, “Perspectives of Community‐Dwelling Older Adults With Dementia and Their Carers Regarding Their Oral Health Practices and Care: Rapid Review,” BDJ Open 7, no. 1 (2021): 36, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41405‐021‐00091‐4.

LinkOut - more resources