Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Background</bold> Family caregiving for older adults with dementia is a complex and demanding role, particularly in low-resource settings. In Ethiopia, limited formal care services, strong cultural expectations, and the lingering effects of conflict place primary responsibility on family members, often without adequate preparation or support. Despite this, there is little empirical evidence on caregivers lived experiences in such contexts. <bold>Aim</bold> This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of family caregivers of older adults with dementia in conflict affecting setting in Ethiopia. <bold>Methods</bold> A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore the lived experiences of family caregivers of older adults with dementia in Northern Ethiopia between August 2025 and June 2026. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 25 participants. <bold>Results</bold> Four main themes with corresponding sub-themes emerged : (1) The lived embodiment of caregiving responsibility (Transition into the Caregiving Role; Daily Caregiving Routines and Responsibilities; Role Changes and Personal Sacrifices; Disruption of Personal Life Trajectory); (2) The burden of prolonged caregiving (Physical Exhaustion and Health Strain; Financial Hardship and Economic Pressure; Social Isolation and Restricted Life); (3) Caregiving under post-conflict precarity; and (4) Meaning-Making and Identity Transformation. <bold>Conclusion</bold> Caregiving for older adults with dementia in Northern Ethiopia is a totalizing and demanding experience that profoundly affects caregivers’ lives. The conflict context further intensifies these challenges, compounding existing social, emotional, and economic burdens. The findings underscore the urgent need for culturally sensitive support systems, caregiver education, and contextually relevant policy interventions to reduce caregiver burden and enhance overall well-being. </p>