Burden felt by family caring for the elderly members needing care in southern Japan

The objective of this study was to adapt the Japanese version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) in a different sample in Japan for cross-validation; and to investigate significant correlates of heavy caregiver burden. A questionnaire survey was used and patients' examination of 45 pairs of caregivers and 'the elderly in need of care' (Yokaigo rojin) who received regular nurse visits hom a practice nurse clinic, which, was located in Onga County, in southern Japan. The Japanese version of the ZBI had high internal consistency when, applied to a different sample in Japan. A logistic regression analysis revealed the following findings.. First, those who looked after the elderly in need of care with more than two behavioral disturbances were more likely to feel 'heavier' caregiver burden (OR = 4.75, CI = 1.45-15.54, p = 0.01). Second, those who looked after the the elderly in need of care with totally dependent ADL felt less caregiver burden than those looking after the elderly who were partially limited in ADL (OR = 0.40, CI = 0.16-0.98, p = 0.04). In conclusion, the Japanese ZBI was cross-validated in a different sample in Japan; and partial limitations in ADL and behavioral disturbances are found to be risk factors for caregivers' feelings of heavy burden.