Protocol for a Survey on the Impact of Caring for a Relative With Dementia on Caregivers' Health and Work Functioning

With the increasing incidence of dementia in Japan due to an aging population and declining birthrate, supporting family caregivers is crucial. A survey was conducted at the hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan from October 1, 2021, to February 29, 2024, involving dementia patients and their working caregiver relatives. The survey assessed health, living, work, caregiving status, sociodemographic factors, and the care recipient's condition. A total of 214 patient-caregiver pairs participated; consent was obtained from 212 pairs, and data were collected from 166 caregivers. The caregivers were predominantly women, with 54 (33%) male caregivers and a mean age of 54.7 years. Health status was reported as good (33%) or fair (50%); however, 46% experienced sleep disturbances, 44% had psychological distress, 18% reported work dysfunction, and 8% noted poor social adjustment. Most of the care recipients were women (65%), with a mean age of 79.8 years. The most common diagnoses were mild cognitive impairment (37%) and Alzheimer's disease (35%), with an average mini-mental state examination score of 21.6. This study outlines the survey protocol, focusing on the health, work, and caregiving conditions of working relatives caring for dementia patients.