References
Support to prevent older people from becoming housebound through mutual aid among residents: a qualitative study
Abstract
Background:
As Japan faces super-aging of the population and a declining birthrate, the shortage of caregivers for older people who require support in the country and a decrease in their quality of life, have become prominent issues. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare recommends mutual aid among local residents in providing such support.
Aims:
To qualitatively analyse issues at hand with a focus on individual visits by welfare commissioners as part of the support to promote early detection and prevention of houseboundness in older people through mutual aid among residents.
Methods:
Semi-structured interviews with welfare commissioners in two cities were conducted and and analysed.
Findings:
Among issues faced during individual visits by welfare commissioners, six categories were identified as problems.
Conclusion:
Welfare commissioners conduct individual visits to provide psychological support for older people who are housebound, including those who refuse to participate in group settings. Our findings highlight the need to revive the community structure that previously existed in Japan, in which residents of all ages are acquainted with each other, and to assist in efforts to support older people through mutual aid among residents.
As the total fertility rate continues to decline in Japan, the proportion of its population aged ≥65 years is expected to reach 36.8% in 2046 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2021). Japan's super-aging society is unparalleled in the world, as reflected by the proportion of the population aged <15 years (12.1%), 15-64 years (59.3%), and ≥65 years (28.7%) in 2020 (Cabinet Office, 2020). As a result, two major issues arise: the collapse of the benefit-burden balance of social security systems for medical and long-term care expenses due to the shrinking working-age population, and the decrease in quality of life (QoL) of older people due to the shortage of caregivers. To address this, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2021) promotes the establishment of an integrated community care system, allowing older people to continue living independently until the last stages of their lives.
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Community Nursing and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for district and community nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Limited access to clinical or professional articles
-
New content and clinical newsletter updates each month