Mental health in family members living with elders.

Abstract

We assessed the mental health conditions of 217 subjects who took care of elders at home, using our depression scale by the surveillance of the elders living at home in Ibaraki Prefecture. An analysis was made on how depression in the caretakers was related with each item of demographical results of the caretakers and the elders living together at home, and with ADL, depression, dementia, personality change and the personality trait of the elders. Our study revealed that depression, personality change and the viscous character of the elders are three factors associated with depression in the female caretakers. Furthermore, we pointed out the necessity of an education campaign to provide the caretakers with information on the elders' personality and personality change for maintenance of the good mental health of the caretakers living with the elders.