How Do Support Providers Deploy Care Workers Effectively in Japan?

This presentation aims to develop a more effective method of deploying care workers for in-home care of aged persons. Although in Japan the government provides long-term care for aged persons who require it in accordance with the Long-Term Care Insurance Law (Kaigo Hoken Ho), aged persons do not always find compatible care workers. This is not only because of the shortage of care workers but also because in-home long-term care support providers may lack motivation; as they do not receive subsidies for placing compatible care workers with aged persons. Yet, good chemistry between aged persons and their care workers is important because aged persons have diverse needs, which may require specific characteristics in their care workers.

To design a policy that will motivate care providers to deploy their care workers more effectively, the presenter interviewed several care workers and other support provider staff members, investigating how care support providers deploy care workers and the difficulties they face. The qualitative interview data revealed that some support providers have aged persons appoint their own care workers at their own expense. This method usually results in successful postings as it enables aged persons to choose compatible care workers and to make particular demands regarding their needs. However, because these appointments are made outside of the Long-Term Care Insurance Law, a designation fee is applicable, which some aged persons cannot afford.

These findings suggest that the government should give subsidies to support providers who appoint large numbers of care workers so that these providers can keep their designation fee low, and aged persons can continue to choose their own care workers. Such an initiative may also restrict social welfare costs in the long run because increased rates of in-home care are associated with decreased medical spending.