F. Homes for the Aged
Homes for the Aged are for frail or slightly impaired older persons who are functionally independent in daily living activities but in need of a meal service and a slight domiciliary service. There are two types of Homes for the Aged. One is called "Yogo Rojin Hohmu" (if literally translated, a "Nursing Home for the Elderly" ) that has its origins in public assistance institutions for the aged. (Hereafter in this paper, this type of Home for the Aged is to be written as "an Ordinary Home for the Elderly.") The other is called "Keihi Rojin Hohmu" (if literally translated, a "Home for the Elderly with Moderate Charge."). Incidentally, in one type of "Keihi Rojin Hohmu" (Type B), meal services are not provided.
To enter an Ordinary Home for the Elderly, one is requested to apply to the Welfare Bureau of the Local Government. On the other hand, to enter a Home for the Elderly with Moderate Charge one can apply directly to the home. The most important difference between the two is that an Ordinary Home for the Elderly can be used by those older persons who have no income or only a very small income and cannot bear any fees.
In these days, the buildings and facilities of Ordinary Homes for the Elderly have been improved greatly. There is still, however, a significant gap in facilities of these two types of Home for the Aged, though there is not an essential difference in their services.
At present (October 1, 1996), there are approximately 64,300 beds in Ordinary Homes for the Elderly. In general, there are quite a number of vacant beds in this type of Home for the Aged due to the development of homehelp services and the improvement in the supply of public housing for the elderly.
The current number of beds in Homes for the Elderly with Moderate Charge is approximately 35,100 (October 1, 1996). In contrast with Ordinary Homes for the Elderly, most Homes of the Elderly with Moderate Charge have a long waiting list, probably because of the difference in admission procedures, a discrepancy in facilities, and the traditional stigma placed on Ordinary Homes for the Elderly which have their origin in public assistance institutions for the aged.
In addition to these publicly supported Homes for the Aged, there are a number of "Yuryo RoJin Hohmu" (if literally translated, "Home for the Elderly with Charge"). Most of these homes provide so-called "lifelong care." Thus, even if residents become severely impaired, the home provides needed nursing care as long as the residents wish. They are established and run without any public grant or subsidy, the only public support being a low-interest loan program. Therefore their charges are very expensive, and only those who belong to the upper-income class can afford to enter. At present (October 1, 1996) there are approximately 275 such homes with the number of older persons living in such homes at approximately 20,700.
