Objective:

To evaluate non-pharmacologic interventions and unmet needs among Hispanic/Latino (HL) caregivers of persons with Parkinson’s Disease (PwP).

Background:

Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting ~1% of adults over age 60, includes pervasive motor and non-motor manifestations requiring extensive informal caregiving. Caregivers experience high rates of depression, social strain and adverse health effects. The HL population is the fastest-growing and longest-living U.S. ethnic group. HL PD caregivers are often younger, adult children, face socioeconomic disadvantage, have lower health literacy and limited use of support services. Despite this, HL PD caregivers remain underrepresented in research. This review summarizes existing non-pharmacologic strategies and highlights gaps relevant to HL PD caregivers. 

Design/Methods:

A scoping review was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed studies in English, 2000–2024, including HL caregivers of PwP. Eligible studies evaluated non-pharmacological interventions or longitudinal survey studies. Extracted outcomes include caregiver burden, knowledge, depression, anxiety, health, stress, and social support.

Results:

Thirty studies were identified: U.S. (n = 9), Mexico (n = 3), Spain (n = 6), Brazil (n = 3), U.S. + Mexico (n = 5), U.S. + Canada (n = 1), and single studies from Peru, Colombia, and Europe. Seven interventions reported no sustained improvements. HL caregivers had higher unemployment, lower education, greater co-residence with PwP, and elevated stress and depressive symptoms compared with non-HL caregivers.  The cultural value of familismo intensified caregiving expectations but also provided emotional support. No U.S.-based studies focused exclusively on HL PD caregivers. On average, 4.3% of the PD caregiver samples in U.S.-based studies identified as HL (range 2.3-14.3%). However, outcomes were rarely stratified by ethnicity.

Conclusions:

HL caregivers of PwP remain markedly understudied. Future research must address structural and cultural contributors to burden and design tailored, non-pharmacologic interventions for HL caregivers in the U.S.