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Reflect on the Content
This project taught me so much more about dementia and the disease itself. But more importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by caregivers and the emotional burden they carry every day as they watch their loved ones forget who they are, while also grappling with their own internal challenges. At the same time, I also realized how positive and transformative this experience can be, and how much individuals can learn from it. As for my next steps... I'm heading off to college in three months, and I know I'll have a lot on my plate. While I would love to continue this project, I simply won’t have the time. However, I will be pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering, with a double minor in neuroscience and business management. My goal is to enter the medical field to help combat dementia and contribute to finding a cure or better therapies. Along the way, I also want to bring more attention and support to caregivers. Watching my mom’s journey and hearing from everyone who filled out my survey, I've become even more committed to improving the support caregivers receive. They deserve to know they are not alone, that they are supported, and that their struggles are understood.
Reflect on the Product
My project and the journey through it was quite complex. From the final presentation and oral defense, I learned how to explain my ideas in a clear and confident way, even when I was nervous. It really helped me get better at thinking on the spot and answering questions in an in depth way. Writing the academic paper taught me how to organize my thoughts better and back up what I was saying with solid evidence. Overall, both parts helped me grow a lot as a writer and speaker. I can apply this to my future learning by using these skills in college when I’ll have to present research, write long papers, and speak up in class. Knowing how to clearly express my ideas and support them with evidence will help me no matter what classes I take. It also taught me how to manage big projects and break them down into smaller, more manageable steps, which is something I’ll need moving forward.
Reflect on the Process
As a researcher, I learned how important it is to ask for help. I struggled a lot with the data collection process and getting enough responses, which left me stuck and unsure of how to move forward. But once I started reaching out, whether it was to my teacher, my peers, or my parents, I was given advice and new ideas I hadn’t considered before. Even after I thought I had all my data, a conversation led me to someone who helped me gain even more. That only happened because I opened up and allowed others to guide me. I also developed skills in analyzing and breaking down both qualitative and quantitative data. It wasn’t just about numbers, it was about reading real experiences from caregivers and understanding the emotional weight behind their words. That forced me to think critically while also being empathetic, which made my research more meaningful. Going forward, I’ll carry these lessons with me. I’ve learned that I don’t need to figure everything out on my own. Asking questions, welcoming different ideas, and being willing to adjust is what made my research stronger and it’s something I’ll keep doing in the future.
Acknowledgments
I want to thank Mr. McBride and Mrs. Dobos for helping me keep going, especially when things got tough. They always pushed me to think deeper and gave me new ideas when I felt stuck. Their support really made a difference, and I’m so grateful for all the time and energy they put into helping me. I also want to thank my parents for always being there. They supported me every step of the way and reminded me that I could do this. I wouldn’t have made it through without their constant encouragement and love. Lastly, thank you to my classmates for always being so encouraging. Whether it was a small comment or just knowing we were all in it together, their support helped keep me motivated and reminded me I wasn’t alone in this process.
Abstract
This research focuses on how the psychological effects of caregiving for individuals with dementia vary across different cultures and ethnicities. As dementia rates continue to rise, it is becoming more important to understand the emotional experiences of caregivers. Using a survey that included both multiple choice and free response questions, I gathered responses from 15 caregivers. The survey explored their background, caregiving experiences, and how culture or ethnicity may have influenced their role. The results showed that negative psychological effects were reported more often than positive ones, with stress, emotional strain, and burnout being the most common. However, many caregivers also shared positive experiences like developing empathy and feeling a stronger bond with the person they cared for. Culture and ethnicity did play a role for many, especially among those from Hispanic backgrounds who described a strong sense of family responsibility. On the other hand, several participants said their caregiving decisions were not shaped by culture, but by personal relationships and love. The biggest challenge was getting a wide range of responses, which limited the data and made it harder to draw broader conclusions. Still, this project showed just how personal and complex caregiving is. What works for one caregiver might not work for another. That is why support for caregivers needs to be flexible, easy to access, and shaped around real needs. Caregivers carry a heavy emotional load, and they deserve to be heard, understood, and supported in meaningful ways.
Link to Final Presentation
Graduation Card!
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