#Japan #Tokyo #Fine Mini #Kyo Sky Inc. #Elderly Caregiving

Survey on Elderly Caregiving and Virus Prevention

Kyo Sky Inc., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, conducted a survey targeting elderly individuals who care for family members also aged 65 and older. This research, focused on the burden of elderly caregiving and awareness of virus infection prevention, has unveiled critical insights into the realities faced by these caregivers.

Background

In Japan, the phenomenon of elderly individuals caring for other elderly persons, known as "elderly caregiving," is rapidly becoming a significant social issue due to an aging population. By 2025, it is predicted that many members of the baby boomer generation will be over 75, further complicating the situation. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for infection prevention measures in home caregiving, yet many elderly caregivers are hampered by physical limitations, financial constraints, and a lack of knowledge about effective prevention methods.

In this context, Kyo Sky’s "Fine Mini" air disinfecting device was developed to support these caregivers. The survey sought to understand their daily challenges and experiences while managing caregiving duties and protecting against infections.

Key Findings

• - Burden of Care: Over 70% of elderly caregivers reported feeling some level of burden associated with caregiving.
• - Types of Burden: Among the burdens reported, mental and physical stress were the most prominent.
• - Awareness of Infection Prevention: Approximately 30% of respondents indicated that they were not sufficiently aware of virus infection prevention practices at home.
• - Top Prevention Measures: The three most commonly implemented infection prevention measures were hand disinfection and gargling (66.0%), ventilation (61.2%), and wearing masks (59.1%).
• - Challenges in Prevention: Caregivers expressed challenges in consistently implementing these measures, often feeling uncertain if they were effective.
• - Changes in Lifestyle: Concerns over infection led many to limit social interactions and outings, although over 46% reported no significant changes to their daily lives.

Survey Details

Conducted from May 30 to June 4, 2025, the survey was administered online and collected responses from 232 elderly individuals who care for family members aged 65 and above.

Caregiving Burden: A Closer Look

A breakdown of responses regarding the burden of home caregiving shows that:

• - 56.5% acknowledged feeling a considerable burden.
• - 18.1% described their experience as very burdensome.
• - Stress from family relationships also contributed to the overall pressure felt by caregivers, with 35.3% citing it as an issue.

Infection Prevention Awareness

A worrying trend emerged when caregivers were questioned about their awareness of infection control:

• - 55.2% felt they had a certain level of awareness.
• - However, 25.4% admitted to not paying much attention to it at all.

- The inability to gauge effectiveness and consistency in applying infection prevention made it overly complicated, according to the caregivers.

Demand for Solutions

Given these findings, Kyo Sky acknowledges the importance of simple, effective solutions. Their product, the Fine Mini air disinfecting device, can deactivate 99.94% of airborne viruses and 90% of viruses residing on surfaces that traditional air purifying devices cannot reach. This technology not only disinfects the air within homes but also offers peace of mind to caregivers by simplifying the process of maintaining a clean and safe environment for both caregivers and their elderly family members.

For more information on Fine Mini and to explore how it can assist in caregiving duties, please visit: Fine Mini.

Conclusion

The survey conducted by Kyo Sky Inc. highlights the significant stress faced by elderly caregivers and their insufficient awareness of infection prevention practices. As this demographic continues to grow, innovative solutions like the Fine Mini are essential in alleviating some of these burdens, ensuring that caregivers can maintain a safer environment for their loved ones while managing the physical and emotional challenges of caregiving.