Family Caregiving and Impact on Caregiver Mental Health: A Study in Shanghai

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the aging population and related policy in present-day China by pointing out that long-term care needs are growing but China still lacks a national long-term care policy. The case of Shanghai is reviewed, with an observation that there was a missing element in the long-term care model—family caregivers. An empirical study on family caregiving and impact on caregivers’ mental health is described. Findings show that about one-fifth of the caregivers were at risk of depressive symptoms, a significant number, which deserves policy responses. A national level long-term care policy is suggested so as to clarify the definition of long-term care and policy objectives. Moreover, there is a need to integrate needs of family caregivers into the long-term care policy and service model. Financial needs, health needs, and knowledge/skills needs are recommended to be taken into consideration for policy and service development purposes.