Shinzō Awano, chairman of the Senior Care Support Council in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, voiced concern over the growing issue of “care refugees,” individuals who can’t find caregivers or care managers despite needing services. The looming crisis is exacerbated by the aging “baby boomer” generation, all of whom are reaching 75 this year, intensifying demands on the healthcare and caregiving systems by 2025.
Awano recounted cases like an elderly husband caring for his wife with dementia, who often wandered off, causing him distress. He managed to secure some respite for the husband by arranging short stays for the wife. Another instance involved an elderly bedridden woman being cared for by her reclusive mother.
The shortage of caregivers and care managers is severe, with Awano saying it often requires contacting 5 to 10 agencies to find help. Many caregivers are elderly themselves, frequently in their 70s and 80s, working in harsh conditions for low pay. They navigate their duties on bicycles or scooters, facing risks like heatstroke.
Recent reductions in basic fees for home care services in the 2024 care fee revisions have worsened the shortage, leading to the closure of many care facilities. Awano reflects that the caregiving insurance system, launched in 2000 to ease family burdens, now strains families as a lack of personnel leads to caregiver burnout and abuse.
Breaking this cycle requires improved working conditions and systemic changes. Care managers, for individual examples, must undergo training every five years to maintain their licenses, a financial and time burden. The government’s potential move to charge for previously free care plans raises further concerns about accessibility for those in need.
Amid election focus on inflation and other issues, Awano urges attention to elder care across generations, emphasizing it not only helps seniors but also eases family burdens, preventing work disruptions. He hopes younger people also recognize the importance of these preparations for their eventual needs.
by MagazineKey4532