Abstract: Through this article we aim to contribute to discussion about how to support family caregivers in China to care effectively for parents with dementia. We outline evidence about the nature of the challenge, situating the rise in numbers of people living with dementia and the role of families in providing care, in the specific time and place of 21st century China. We note the unique backdrop of economic and social transitions, which is leading to strains and changes in traditional values. We draw on recent research to summarise the impact of caregiving and suggest the socio-cultural model of stress and coping as a powerful framework to inform service development. Given the centrality of filial piety in Chinese culture and the associated expectation that families look after their own relatives, we propose that a community case management model may be an effective way of supporting dementia care in China. We describe the Admiral Nursing model that is used in the UK as an example.

Key words: dementia; family caregiving; filial piety; case management; specialized care