Gender differences in social life and social support among family caregivers of people with dementia.

Introduction
This qualitative study explores gender differences in family care for people with dementia. While previous research indicated that the burden of caregiving is often higher among women compared to men, other gender-related differences associated with family care remain understudied.

Methods
Three semistructured focus-group interviews and seven individual interviews were conducted with a culturally diverse mix of male and female caregivers in The Netherlands. The open interview questions were inspired by the Stanford Gender-Related Variables for Health Research (GVHR) tool. Items of the GVHR tool were also used as sensitizing concepts in the thematic analysis.

Results
With regard to spousal caregivers, there appeared to be no major gender differences in the care provided. However, participants did mention gender differences regarding other family caregivers, such as daughters and sons. The women in their families provide time-intensive types of care more often than men. Both female and male participants mentioned that women were more proactive in offering support to them as caregivers or to their relative with dementia. Female participants linked their perceived care burden to difficulties in combining caregiving with other daily activities, e.g., the care for other family members and paid work. Furthermore, it was difficult for them to mentally disengage from their concerns for their relatives with dementia when participating in other daily activities. Overall, comparable gender differences in family care and care burden were mentioned by participants with and without migration backgrounds. However, the latter related their views on family care more explicitly to their culture.

Discussion
The study highlights the need for gender-sensitive support for caregivers of people with dementia. The insights from this study can help care professionals and policy makers to arrange inclusive and gender-sensitive support for family caregivers.