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Read stories from AANHPI caregivers

Caregiving is an essential and often challenging role that many individuals from various backgrounds take on to support their loved ones.

Alzheimer's caregiver video stories

Listen to Alzheimer's caregivers June Yasuhara and Dr. Christine Nguyen on how they navigated their caregiving journey and why it's important for AANHPI voices to be heard in research. 

View the YouTube playlist >>

Alzheimer's disease does not announce its arrival but develops gradually in life: A Chinese daughter's caregiving journey with her mother

My English name is Andree Guo. I came from Shanghai and have been living with my mom since then. I came here in 1990 and have been living with my mom for many years. Around 2000, I noticed that my mom’s behavior and speech were a little weird, different from before. At that time, I didn't know about Alzheimer's disease, so I asked some friends. Some of them were doctors. They told me to pay attention to my mom and spend more time by her side. 

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A love story of motherhood tested by Alzheimer’s

My name is Mi-kyung, last name Nam. I was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in a conservative Christian household with four older sisters and one younger brother. I moved to the United States when I was 23 and have been living here for almost 30 years now. I met my husband in the United States at church and we got married when I was 25. I am now 54 years old and have two grown children. I work at my local church as a deacon. My mom started to show signs of dementia when she was 60 years old. 

Read more about Rachel's story >>

Lessons learned: A daughter’s story on dementia care

My name is Cherina Tinio. I am here to share the lessons learned, a daughter’s story on dementia care. I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. I am a retired registered nurse. I migrated to the United States in 1983 together with my 3 older siblings. I received my Baccalaureate degree in nursing from Manila Doctors College of Nursing in Manila, Philippines in 1980 and completed my Master of Science of Nursing degree from San Francisco State University in 2002. 

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You took care of me, now it’s my turn to take care of you

You took care of me, and now it’s my turn to take care of you. My name is June Yasuhara. I was born in San Jose where I have lived all my life. I am the primary caregiver to both my Japanese parents who have dementia. My mother, Eiko, who is 83 was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2017. She is originally from Japan and came to the United States when she was a teen. My dad, James, is 87 and he was diagnosed with mixed dementia in early 2019. He is also a native of San Jose.

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Our family's journey with mom: Using the strength of Filipino traditions and culture

My name is Tess Estrin and this is my experience as a Filipino family member, caring for my mother who has dementia. I am a retired Registered Nurse, who was born and grew up in the Philippines. I received my Baccalaureate degree in Nursing from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, and my Master’s degree in Nursing Education from Columbia University in New York. I came to the US fifty (50) years ago and worked in various capacities as a Registered Nurse on both the East and West coast of the US. In the last thirty (30) years of my career, my field of specialty was in geriatric nursing.

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The glue that held our family together: A family's journey in caring for its matron

My name is Virgina Lorilla, but my maiden name is Virginia Lobaton. I was born in the Philippines and I grew up there. I migrated to the United States in 1981, so I think I was 23 or 24 or around that time. I am a nurse. I have been working as a Director of Nurses in a nursing home, so geriatrics is my specialty. Other than that from time to time, I would do some consultation, but all my life I’ve been a nurse. I think back in the 80s when I first worked in nursing homes that was when I was first introduced to dementia.

Read more about Virginia's story >>

Life’s challenge with compassion

This is about my mother Toshiya Tanaguchi. She was a senior that would regularly go to Yu-Ai Kai for senior activities and then she began to live in my home after my kids were all grown up and away, and I was able to have a separate bedroom and bathroom for her. I started noticing her getting forgetful around 1994, and one day I found some cheese in the refrigerator and I know both my husband and I didn’t put them there. I found out they were my mother’s, so I asked her, “Why did you put the cheese in the refrigerator?”

Read more about Sumi's story >>

A wife's aspiration emerged victorious: Memories as caregiver of her husband

My name is Urmila and I am from India. My husband is also from India, we are from UP (Uttar Pradesh). In 1966, he came to USA. After three to four months, I also came with my younger son. After coming here, he had a small accident of his hand. That was a setback for him, but he was a very strong person. He pursued further studies here, like masters and MBA at that time. Many years later around 76-77 years of age, he started developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

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After the war: Vietnamese dementia caregivers repay a lifetime of love

It was August 24, 2017, one day before Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and dumped more water than any storm ever recorded in United States history. In a few days, Houston saw as much rain as it usually saw in a year. My brother picked up our dad, who was 82, at his house, where he lived alone, and they evacuated to higher ground. They rode out the storm in the countryside. My brother’s in-laws had gotten 10 pounds of ground beef and made enough chili to last through the storm. This is Texas, ya’ll.

Read more about Quyen's story (written by Christine Nguyen) >>

Our roles were suddenly reversed: An Asian Indian immigrant daughter’s story about caring for her mother

My name is Jaya and I was born in India, moved to USA in 1976, first to Cleveland, Ohio and then from there to San Francisco-Fremont, California and have been living here since then. About 20 years back my…25 years back my father passed away, so I went and brought my mother with me to come and live with me because I have no siblings, and she came and lived here with me.

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Navigating Change: Supporting My Godmother in Her Time of Need

My name is Sanjay. I grew up in Mumbai, India. I'm an engineer by profession. We speak Marathi at home and follow most of Marathi (Hindu) tradition. In 1999 I moved to Ottawa, Canada where I met Sunita who became my godmother over a period of time. Sunita introduced me to many people including the India Canada Association where I actively participated. I always enjoy food prepared by her.

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Carrying Care Across Oceans: A Journey of Love and Quiet Sacrifice

I am Encarnacion Ignacio Remias[... and] I am Danilo Remias...When we first arrived here, I (Mrs. Remias) used to cry nonstop before because I was questioning, “Why did they bring me to America? I left my other children and grandchildren in the Philippines.” Then, one of my nieces here suggested that we find a job”

Read more about Encarnacion and Danilo's story >>

Navigating Dementia Care: A Son's Journey with His Mother's Diagnosis and Memory Care

Hi. My name is David Wong. I grew up in San Francisco, and I'm of Chinese ethnicity. It's my mom. She's 95 this year, and she probably had signs of dementia a while back. Me not being a great son. Couldn't observe it. I just thought she was just being old and long winded, just like repeating herself.

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Balancing Caregiving and Career: A Filipino Nurse's Journey with a Mother's Dementia

I am a registered nurse in Los Angeles. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in nursing in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States in 1995. I am Filipino and I am the eldest daughter in my family. I’m taking care of my mom right now, she was diagnosed with dementia ten years ago. It became a struggle caring for her as the disease progressed and became severe over time.

Read more about Elena's story >>