Crossing International Borders for Dementia Care: Migrating Indian Families

India's population is aging, and the country has experienced significant social changes over the last couple of decades, including international migration for better job opportunities. The aging population is at high risk for dementia, and it is projected to reach 319 million by 2050. Currently, almost 9 million people in India have dementia, but a shocking 90% do not receive professional care due to a lack of facilities and healthcare professionals, as well as expensive cost of services. As a result, most dementia care is provided by family members who receive no professional guidance or support. Traditionally, Indian families lived together in joint households, with younger generations, typically women, caring for older adults. However, with more women joining the workforce and younger generations migrating abroad for better economic prospects, this traditional family structure is changing. In the past decade India has become the leading country of origin for voluntary international migration for employment opportunities. Consequently, many Indian families have become transnational, with younger generations living and working in other territories while their aging parents reside in India. Given the inadequate dementia care services in India, it is crucial to understand how these transnational families provide care when a family member develops dementia which impacts their ability to live independently.