Daily Pleasure and Difficulties among Older Patients: Primary Care Setting in Japan

Older adults undergo physical and social changes that adversely affect their health. However, the prevalence and distribution of patients' pleasure and difficulties remain poorly documented. Moreover, the acceptability and feasibility of self-administered questionnaires concerning their social conditions among older patients are still uncertain. Our study aimed to elucidate the distribution of daily pleasure and difficulties among older patients and assess the acceptability of these screenings.

Descriptive epidemiology was conducted at a single center in Japan. From April 2023 to March 2024, self-reported questionnaires on activities of daily living (ADL), daily pleasure and difficulties, and the acceptability of these questions were distributed to all patients aged 80 years or older. The participants' long-term care (LTC) certification level, a nationwide measure in Japan, was used to assess their ADL.

A total of 359 patients participated, with 192 (53.5%) not applying for LTC certification, 57 (15.9%) at Support Levels, and 101 (28.1%) at Care Need Levels. Among them, 242 (67.4%) reported daily pleasures, 56 (15.6%) experienced bathing difficulties, 73 (20.3%) encountered excretion problems, and 34 (9.4%) faced excessive financial burdens. These difficulties and financial burdens were more prevalent among those at Support Levels and Care Need Levels than those without LTC certifications. Most participants found these surveys acceptable.

Participants requiring LTC reported daily pleasures as frequently as those without LTC certification. However, those requiring LTC more frequently reported difficulties in daily activities and faced excessive financial burdens. Healthcare professionals should inquire about older patients' specific daily living needs.