The impact of dementia on Quality of Life and wellbeing of informal caregivers in Asia: A Scoping Review Comparing High and Low-Middle Income Countries

Abstract

Abstract Background As the population ages, the need for informal caregiving is becoming an increasingly serious topic for researchers and policymakers. To draw awareness to the consequences of informal caregiving among Asian populations, this review explored the psychosocial impact of providing dementia care on caregivers in the context of both high-income and low-middle-income Asian countries. Methodology: A scoping review was undertaken following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) protocol. A systematic search of 4 databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Medline and Medline Complete) was conducted using topic specific keywords to identify the relevant peer-reviewed studies conducted in Asian countries. Articles were screened and selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis- extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA- ScR) guidelines. Data was extracted from selected studies and thematically synthesized and analyzed to show the overall impacts to caregivers of providing care to people with dementia. Result Fourteen articles (11 cross-sectional, one longitudinal, one case-control, and one descriptive-phenomenological study) were selected for the final analysis. Eight studies were conducted in low-to-middle-income Asian countries, while six studies were conducted in high-income Asian countries. The most frequently reported findings were dementia caregivers working longer hours, having financial issues, poor physical health, and lower life satisfaction, which progressively and collectively affected caregivers' quality of life. However, the impacts were less significant in high-income Asian countries, particularly in countries like Japan and Korea due to efforts been made to identify burdens associated with caring for people with dementia and the provision of appropriate support. Conclusion The scoping review demonstrates clear evidence that caring for people with dementia may affect the quality of life of informal caregivers, particularly in low-middle income countries of Asia. Systematic reviews and meta-analysis may be needed to confirm these findings.