Analysis of the Relationship between Caregivers\u27 First Interview with Elderly Persons with Dementia and Their Adaptation: A Survey of Caregivers in the Group Homes in Japan

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between a caregiver\u27s first interview with elderly persons with dementia and their adaptation to living in a group home. Data for this study was gathered through a questionnaire survey sent to a sample of 123 people who worked for group homes and took part in interviewing elderly persons with dementia and their families. In those cases where female caregivers performed the first interview, the percentage of elderly persons with dementia who reported stressful situations during their first week after admission to the homes was significantly low in comparison to those cases where male caregivers performed the first interview. The percentage of elderly persons with dementia who reported stressful situations was also significantly lower in the group homes where registered nurses worked for in comparison to the group homes where nursing aids, home helpers, or social work-ers worked for. The results suggest that the role of nurses is important in helping elderly persons with dementia to cope with the new environment in a group home. Further studies will be necessary to examine the results of this study