Aging & Social Change: Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The Japanese Elderly Care Insurance system was started twenty years ago by the Japanese government. It aimed to support the elderly to stay at home when they were no longer able to provide their own transportation. It also made it possible for them to choose their own services instead of services being assigned. The insurance system is run by each municipal government and services are provided by private for-profit and non-profit organizations. This study found that there is a discrepancy in the amount and quality of care resources provided between large cities and small villages. According to this study, the services supplied in any given geographical area is largely dependent on population density, which also determines whether elderly can receive home care. The cause is market-oriented supplier behavior, resulting in elderly living in low-density areas having less choice in care services provided.