Homebound elderly with dementia and their family caregivers: Examining the situation in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan before COVID-19

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the status of problematic behaviors among elderly patients with dementia at home and the associated burden on their family caregivers in Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 563 family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia living at home in these three regions. Information regarding their demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, education level, income, marital status, and family status, was obtained. The Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist, a 24-item scale for assessing problem behaviors, and the Zarit Burden Interview, a 22-item scale for measuring caregiver burden, were used alongside other relevant scales. The findings indicated that the majority of family caregivers were female and in their 60s across all three regions, while elderly patients with dementia were mostly female and living alone in their 80s. In addition, a significant proportion of these patients had comorbidities such as diabetes and other health conditions. In Japan, although the patients exhibited relatively intact physical function and a low degree of dementia, the caregivers experienced high-stress levels. The demographic profiles of family caregivers of elderly patients with dementia at home in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan were remarkably similar, particularly in terms of age and gender distribution. Furthermore, marital and employment statuses were comparable between Hong Kong and Singapore. While the previous studies have taken a broad view of Asia, focusing on Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan in particular has facilitated the identification of clues for developing targeted countermeasures.