Perception of Elderly Male Caregivers Toward the Long-Term Care Insurance System: Based on the Narrative of Elderly Male Caregivers Participating in a Caregiver’s Group

Abstract

This study focused on the perceptions of elderly male family caregivers toward the long-term care insurance system. Further, it identified their thoughts regarding the long-term care insurance system and its services and provided support suggestions. An interview survey was conducted involving seven elderly male caregivers in a family caregiver’s group. Consequently, four categories were extracted: “Process leading to services,” “Service use effectiveness,” “Service use for caregiver’s relief,” and “Lack of services.” The participating elderly male caregivers were not interested in the long-term care insurance system. Furthermore, they did not have any information concerning long-term care until the start of their care. Therefore, they received some services through long-term care insurance, and this support gave them psychological relief. Nonetheless, conversely, they thought that there were services that were lacking. In the future, we would like to examine ways to support elderly male caregivers, mainly to start using services at an appropriate time.