Work, Leisure Time Activities, and Mental Health among Family Caregivers of the Elder People in Japan.

In Japan, there is a high incidence of family members caring for their elderly. To facilitate this, caregivers often quit their jobs, work reduced hours, and forfeit leisure activities. This study examined the relationship between the mental health of the caregivers and the sacrifices and adjustments they make to care for the elderly.

Fatigue in Japanese people with multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to obtain descriptions of the experiences of fatigue of people with multiple sclerosis, including experiences related to their interpersonal relations and social life. We used a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design and conducted semistructured interviews with nine participants. Seven concepts emerged from the data analysis: "fatigue as an individualized and novel sensation", "self-analysis of the factors that are associated with fatigue", "effects of fatigue on living and the self", "unique measures for handling fatigue", "insufficient coping", "living with fatigue", and "the assumption of a lack of common understanding of fatigue.

Management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in long-term care facilities in Japan.

Background: An increasing number of old people, and their medical requirements, cannot be managed by their families in their homes, which has been the traditional and prevalent practice in Japan. The number of people with dementia is increasing and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) make care difficult. In the present study, we investigated management techniques for BPSD in long-term care facilities in Japan by using the data mining method, which looks at the reported behaviors of care providers.

[Gender differences in caregiving experience changes over 2-years and effects on psychological well-being of spousal caregivers in a longitudinal study].

Purpose: We examined spousal gender differences in change of caregiving experience over 2-years, focusing on care-recipient's physical and mental conditions, living arrangements, financial status, utilization of long-term care insurance (LTCI), availability of secondary caregivers, caregiver's coping strategies and psychological well-being. We also investigated causal associations between caregiving experiences and psychological well-being of the spousal caregivers.

Method: We conducted a 2-wave survey, in Oct.

Gender differences in spousal caregiving in Japan.

Background: Gender differences in spousal caregivers and their relationship to care experiences, social demographics, and caregivers' depression were examined.

Methods: A stratified random sample of 2,020 users of public long-term care insurance in a city of Osaka prefecture, Japan, participated in this study. Responses from 308 spouses (56.

[Evaluation of demographic factors for autonomy of the elderly and their families in selecting long-term care insurance services].

Purpose: This study was conducted to characterize (1) the autonomy of service users, both frail elderly and of their family caregivers, in selecting Long-term care insurance services, and to evaluate (2) influencing demographic factors. The aim was to propose new directions for the care providing system.

Methods: The subjects were 1,760 users of public Long-term Care Insurance who were randomly stratified and sampled in Higashi-osaka city, Osaka prefecture.