Family caregiving in dementia in Japan.

Family caregivers were interviewed to describe their caregiving experience with their older relatives who were afflicted with Alzheimer's disease at home. Three elements were identified to contribute toward a caregiving career: (a) good prior relationships between caregivers and care recipients, (b) positive interpretations of the relative's condition, and (c) utilization of resources. Some caregivers were identified as high risk: husbands caring for their wives and daughters-in-law caring for their mothers-in-law. Specific interventions for these subgroup caregivers are in order.