Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the caregiving burden experienced by older family caregivers of homebound older individuals with dementia in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan before the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examined their attitudes towards supporting older parents and involved 540 family caregivers. Various scales and questionnaires were used to assess factors such as memory and behavior problems, perceived support, general health, burden, cultural justification, and coping strategies. The results revealed that greater memory and behavioral problems in dementia patients negatively impacted caregivers' mental health and influenced their coping strategies. The study found no direct correlation between support for older parents and mental health but identified a positive association with specific coping strategies. The similarities among family caregivers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan were noted, including age, education, occupational status, and shared cultural values like Confucianism and respect for elders. It was observed that caregivers prioritize their own quality of life while addressing the challenges related to caring for older parents.