Okamoto Nahoko

ABSTRACT Background While rapid population ageing is occurring worldwide, its speed is especially prominent in Asian countries. In Asia, cultural diversity might significantly affect care burden; however, few studies have investigated the differences in care burden, and mental, physical and social conditions among Asian countries. This study aimed to clarify the situations of and differences in family caregivers (FCs) of older persons in Japan and Thailand, and evaluate the factors associated with care burden in both countries. Methods A cross‐national survey of 217 in‐home FCs was conducted in Japan and Thailand and mainly included items regarding care burden and psychosocial conditions. Differences between the two countries were obtained, and the factors associated with care burden were analysed by multiple regression analyses. Results The FCs' and care receivers’ mean ages (64.8 ± 11.1 and 84.8 ± 8.6 years, respectively) in Japan were significantly higher than the mean ages (49.1 ± 13.3 and 77.1 ± 9.5 years) in Thailand. In Japan, FCs had more severe care burden, loneliness, and stress compared to those in Thailand. In Thailand, FCs had more social connections and informal support than those in Japan. The factors associated with care burden were different in each country; thus, severe stress, low emotional care preparation, and low willingness to continue care at home were significantly associated with severe care burden in Japan, whereas poor relationships with care receivers, few social connections, low confidence in providing care, low emotional care preparation, and lack of informal support were significantly associated with severe care burden in Thailand. Conclusions Despite there being a long‐term care insurance system in Japan, which is absent in Thailand, care burden and psychosocial conditions of FCs might be worse in Japan. There was a clear difference in the factors associated with care burden between Japan and Thailand.

目的:急性期病院で必要とされる認知症看護実践能力を明らかにすることを目的とした.方法:急性期病院で認知症看護を実践している看護師15名を対象に,半構成的インタビューを行い,質的記述的研究を行った.結果:認知症看護実践能力は「認知症患者に対する基本的なケア姿勢」,「認知症患者が入院中安全安楽に過ごすための対策の実施」,「認知症患者の入院前後の生活や周囲の環境に目を向けた,継続的なケアの展開」,「認知症患者に適切なケアを提供するための組織人としての行動」により構成されていた.結論:本研究により,基本的な認知症患者に対する姿勢だけではなく,急性期病院で必要とされている包括的な認知症看護実践能力が明らかとなった.今後認知症高齢者の入院が急増する背景からも,こういった視点で効果的に能力が向上されることが望まれる.(著者抄録)

This paper presents the finding from Japan, where information was collected from seven respondents about their social ties. In this paper, we focus on social spaces for single older men who have experienced homelessness. We explore the social ties the men gained by engaging in these social spaced. The study was conducted Tokyo and Osaka with face-to-face interview. The respondents in this study were given a place where they could freely come to go by being invited by others to participate in social gathering. They also received an opportunity to interact with others and engage in enjoyable working.

As global aging progress, disaster preparedness for elders is becoming a critical issue because their special needs have not been well accommodated in the case of disaster relief. This study is prepared to share the experience of this crisis in East Japan with both developed and developing parts of world, so that we will be better prepared to accommodate the needs of older population in the future disaster relief effort. The study aimed to examine the lessons and learned older people faced as a result of their displacement, and to assess the impact of the disaster on their wellbeing and the forms of support available to them. The study was conducted in two cities in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, selected for the severity of impact of the tsunami and the high concentration of older people. Data was collected between December 2012 and March 2013. About 70% of the survey respondents were at home when the earthquake began. More than half the respondents moved to their assigned evacuation sites. Almost half of respondents in both cities evacuated with family members, indicating the large numbers of older people living with or near to family members. Among the females under 75, the number that replied 'Story and wisdom from the past', 'Tsunami Warning' and 'Training in Preparation for Tsunami' were high. Disaster preparedness and training should build confidence and encourage older residents to take immediate and appropriate action in an emergency. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.