Exploratory study on the factors related with the early detection of missing older persons with dementia living alone in Japan

• Published in: Geriatrics & gerontology international 2023-05, Vol.23 (5), p.362-365
• Main Authors: Kikuchi, Kazunori, Ooguchi, Tatsuya, Ikeuchi, Tomoko, Awata, Shuichi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Dementia; Dementia - diagnosis; Early Diagnosis; Home Environment; Humans; Insurance, Long-Term Care; Japan; living alone; Long term care insurance; missing; planned regular visits
• ISSN: 1444-1586; 1447-0594
• DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14580

Aim To clarify the factors related to the early detection of missing older persons with dementia (PwD) who lived alone in Japan. Methods We carried out a multiple regression analysis with data from 88 missing PwD. Results The location of the discovery was within the municipality where the missing PwD lived. Furthermore, the use of long‐term care insurance services was significantly associated with early detection. Conclusion Missing PwD were located within the municipality in which they lived, which meant that the individual was found before they went far. In addition, with the long‐term care insurance services, professionals should regularly visit the home of PwD according to a care plan. Planned regular visits might trigger the early recognition of a missing person with dementia and enable early search activities. Therefore, use of long‐term care insurance services might lead to the early detection of missing PwD living alone. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 362–365. This study aimed to explore and clarify the factors associated with the early detection of missing older persons with dementia who lived alone. The location of discovery was within the municipality where the missing older persons with dementia resided. The use of long‐term care insurance services was significantly associated with early detection.