When patients with irreversible dementia show severe deterioration
in cognitive abilities, caretakers begin to perceive it as
stressful situation. Caregiving burden or stress, which can result
in burnout, was understood through in-depth interview with two
primary caregivers who were family members of the dementia
patients. It seemed that both of them have experienced
psychological distress so seriously. Nevertheless, they expressed
their filial duty of taking care of the patients as far as the
patients are alive. The findings were discussed in the context of
suggesting that burnout prevention education program should be
given to the caregivers as well as the general population.