90% of Family Caregivers Face 'Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)': Survey Highlights Impact of BPSD on Caregiver Quality of Life
Otsuka Pharmaceutical surveyed 705 family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's-type dementia. The results revealed that 90.6% of patients exhibit 'Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD),' with 'hyperactivity' symptoms significantly increasing caregiver burden and reducing their quality of life (QOL).
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 1, 2026 at 22:11
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 13:20
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 1, 2026 at 20:22 (7h 2m after Collected)
Otsuka Pharmaceutical is committed to realizing the wellbeing of individuals as a total healthcare company. In the midst of Japan's rapidly aging society, a study on "family caregivers living with patients with Alzheimer's-type dementia" found that 90% of caregivers experience "Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)," such as agitation and aggressive behavior.
Among the various symptoms of BPSD, hyperactivity (e.g., hitting, pinching, swearing, restlessness) was observed in over 70% of those with BPSD. Furthermore, when BPSD is present, caregiving time increases by approximately 10 hours per week compared to when it is absent, alongside increased caregiver burden and decreased quality of life (QOL).
This newsletter introduces the background and results of the survey through an interview with Dr. Tomoyuki Nagata of the Dementia Medical Center at Aira no Mori Hospital (Medical Corporation Eikokai). Based on Dr. Nagata's insight that "increased care burden can lead to a vicious cycle of decreased care quality and exacerbated BPSD symptoms," we discuss how to approach and manage dementia care.
Survey Summary:
1. 90.6% of the study subjects showed some form of BPSD. Notably, hyperactivity symptoms such as hitting, pinching, and restlessness were seen in 73.4% of those with BPSD and were strongly linked to the mental and physical burden on caregivers.
2. Caregivers of those with BPSD spend about 10 hours more per week on caregiving than those without BPSD and show a decline in QOL regarding "health" and "social connections."
3. Caregivers dealing with BPSD reported higher dissatisfaction with care services. Additionally, 16.6% responded that they have "no coping mechanism" for hyperactivity, highlighting issues in current support systems.
Background: Understanding Home Care Realities:
While society is shifting toward a symbiotic model, past dementia research has been largely based on clinical and administrative data, with limited focus on the actual voices of family caregivers. Otsuka Pharmaceutical conducted this nationwide internet survey to clarify the challenges faced by caregivers using data closer to real-life situations.
Commentary by Dr. Tomoyuki Nagata:
Approximately 26 years have passed since the nursing care insurance system was established in 2000. While care systems have improved, it has become clear that BPSD—rather than cognitive decline—has a major impact on caregiver burden. Clarifying the impact of these symptoms is essential for building appropriate support systems, and this survey holds significant meaning.
Among the various symptoms of BPSD, hyperactivity (e.g., hitting, pinching, swearing, restlessness) was observed in over 70% of those with BPSD. Furthermore, when BPSD is present, caregiving time increases by approximately 10 hours per week compared to when it is absent, alongside increased caregiver burden and decreased quality of life (QOL).
This newsletter introduces the background and results of the survey through an interview with Dr. Tomoyuki Nagata of the Dementia Medical Center at Aira no Mori Hospital (Medical Corporation Eikokai). Based on Dr. Nagata's insight that "increased care burden can lead to a vicious cycle of decreased care quality and exacerbated BPSD symptoms," we discuss how to approach and manage dementia care.
Survey Summary:
1. 90.6% of the study subjects showed some form of BPSD. Notably, hyperactivity symptoms such as hitting, pinching, and restlessness were seen in 73.4% of those with BPSD and were strongly linked to the mental and physical burden on caregivers.
2. Caregivers of those with BPSD spend about 10 hours more per week on caregiving than those without BPSD and show a decline in QOL regarding "health" and "social connections."
3. Caregivers dealing with BPSD reported higher dissatisfaction with care services. Additionally, 16.6% responded that they have "no coping mechanism" for hyperactivity, highlighting issues in current support systems.
Background: Understanding Home Care Realities:
While society is shifting toward a symbiotic model, past dementia research has been largely based on clinical and administrative data, with limited focus on the actual voices of family caregivers. Otsuka Pharmaceutical conducted this nationwide internet survey to clarify the challenges faced by caregivers using data closer to real-life situations.
Commentary by Dr. Tomoyuki Nagata:
Approximately 26 years have passed since the nursing care insurance system was established in 2000. While care systems have improved, it has become clear that BPSD—rather than cognitive decline—has a major impact on caregiver burden. Clarifying the impact of these symptoms is essential for building appropriate support systems, and this survey holds significant meaning.
FAQ
アルツハイマー型認知症患者の家族介護におけるBPSDの発生率はどのくらいですか？
調査対象となったアルツハイマー型認知症患者の90.6％に、何らかのBPSD（認知症の行動・心理症状）が認められました。
BPSD（認知症の行動・心理症状）が介護者の生活に与える具体的な影響は何ですか？
BPSDがある場合、ない場合と比較して週平均で約10時間の介護時間増加が見られるほか、介護者の心身の負担増大や「健康」「社会とのつながり」に関する生活の質（QOL）の低下が示されました。
調査で明らかになった活動亢進（過活動）症状にはどのようなものがありますか？
「叩く・つねる」「悪態をつく」「落ち着きがない（落ち着きなく動き回る）」といった症状が該当し、BPSDがある人の73.4％に見られました。
介護サービス利用において、BPSDの有無は満足度にどのような影響を与えますか？
BPSDがない場合と比べて、ある場合のほうが介護者に介護サービスへの不満が見られました。また、活動亢進の症状に対して「対処法がない」と回答した人が16.6％にのぼりました。
この調査を実施した目的は何ですか？
医療機関や行政データだけでなく、自宅で実際に介護を担う家族の声に焦点を当て、実生活に近いデータを通じて介護者が直面する課題や負担を明らかにすることを目的としています。