This study sought to determine factors related to sex differences in satisfaction with home care services among caregivers in a depopulated agrarian region. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to caregivers with experience providing home care to individuals aged ≥ 65 years. The questionnaire asked about the basic characteristics of the respondents, the nature of the care services they provided, and their satisfaction and responses after the care services. Valid responses for care service satisfaction were received from 130 individuals (78 women and 52 men), 71.6% of whom were aged ≥ 60 years. Overall, 52.3% of respondents were satisfied with their care services. We did not observe any association between the sex of the caregiver and care service satisfaction. Based on the qualitative analysis of their responses about satisfaction, we abstracted categories that demonstrated the particular characteristics of female and male caregivers.The results of this study indicate that professionals involved in providing care services should base their support on sex-based differences in characteristics.

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that enable female caregivers in a depopulated agrarian region to continue providing home care and to obtain basic data to aid in determining the type of support these caregivers need to continue providing such care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 women who had been providing in-home care for a person with care needs aged 65 years or older in a depopulated agrarian region for at least 1 year. Data were analyzed using Mayring's approach to qualitative content analysis.Six categories were identified through the analysis:“effective use of in-home services”,“caregiver's ability to make time”,“having a family support system”,“having supportive people around”,“acquisition of caregiving knowledge and skills”, and“transportation options in the sparsely populated area”. These results indicate that professionals should support female caregivers in sparsely populated villages by promoting formation of friendships between caregivers and devising support methods that take into consideration local circumstances.

The objectives of this study were to investigate current conditions of home care in a depopulated agrarian region of Japan and identify issues that need to be addressed. An anonymous questionnaire survey was distributed, and responses obtained from 244 residents living in a region that has experienced population decline. Results demonstrated that 65.6% of respondents were certified as needing long-term care services, and 64.3% of respondents were receiving such services. More than half of care service users reported that they had used day care services or short-term institutionalization to help meet some of their needs. Satisfaction levels regarding these care services among users appeared to be high. Conversely, 20.5% of respondents reported that they had not used care services because of one or more of the following reasons: “Do not want to be taken care of by others,” “Do not have any need to use these services,” “Have adequate care from family members,” and “Unfamiliar with how to access them.” Female family caregivers reported that they needed the following to continue providing care: “Social welfare and health equipment rental,” “Access to facility-located rehabilitation services,” and “Support from cohabiting family members.” The results of this study suggest that professionals need to consider providing information that is easy to understand about the long-term care insurance system to care recipients in rural areas, including details of available care services and how best to access them.