Comparative Study on Positive Consciousness of Family Carers of Impaired Elderly People at Home, in Japan, Finland, Sweden, and UK.

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1). ObjectIn order to clarify similarity and a difference of the family carer's positive experiences of caregiving who care elderly people at home and to consider the direction of family support, the comparative study of Japan, Finland, Sweden, and UK was performed.2). Method(1) From 2001 to 2003, using CASI (Nolan, et al.), positive experiences of caregiving were investigated in Japan, Finland and Sweden. The questionnaire was distributed by health or care professionals to family carers in three countries and returned by mail. The effective reply was obtained from 230 persons in Japan, 290 persons in Finland and 33 persons in Sweden. These replies were used for the purpose of analysis and comparison with UK.(2) The home care service system of Japan, Finland, Sweden, and UK was investigated, the background of carers' positive experience of caregiving was considered, and family carers' support method was examined.3). Results and DiscussionCarers obtained satisfaction from the results of caregiving, maintain dignity and comfort of elderly people. in all four countries. Concerning satisfaction from activities of caregiving themselves, there was a difference between countries. Where public care service system was comparatively well organized, in Sweden, carers obtained less satisfaction from the process of caregiving. In Finland and Japan, on the contrary, activities of caregiving themselves were source of satisfaction. The carers in these two countries considered caregiving as a kind of "work" and obtained the satisfaction by performing their duty. However the heavy situation of burden was also still seen, so it is necessity to consider the flexibility home care system to support both elderly people and carers 'QOL'.