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Technology in care for the aged in Japan: two case studies
- Author:
- JAPAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTRE
- Publisher:
- Japan Local Government Centre
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper describes two case studies outlining the use of assistive technology in Japan. The first, from Okuizumo town in the Shimane prefecture, relates to the use of video phones which have been installed in 70% of all households of people 65 years and over. This allows for visual interaction with the Health and Welfare Division, who keep a watch over the well-being of its clients. This, among other benefits, frees up resources and reduces the burden on nursing and medical care centres. The second case study describes ‘Paro’, the world’s first therapeutic robotic harp seal. Paro is designed to have a therapeutic effect on patients with cognitive disorders. To date, more than a thousand models have been sold. In studies, Paro has shown to improve the brain functioning of 50% of older users with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Also, subjects that showed a positive attitude towards Paro were found to show a greater response to therapy.
Factors related to potentially harmful behaviors towards disabled older people by family caregivers in Japan
- Authors:
- SASAKI Megumi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(3), March 2007, pp.250-257.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The purpose of the present study was to examine factors related to potentially harmful behaviours (PHB) by family caregivers towards their older family members. Four hundred and twelve pairs of disabled older adults and their family caregivers participated in the study. All of these disabled older adults were users of visiting nursing services under the public Long-Term Care insurance system, who resided in one of the eight catchment areas of visiting nursing services in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The caregivers were asked to complete questionnaires in relation to their PHB towards their older family members, caregiver burden, patient-caregiver kinship, behavioural disturbances of their older adult, age and sex. Visiting nurses obtained the following information regarding the older adults: the severity of dementia; the severity of physical impairment; age and sex. More than 30% of the caregivers admitted PHB towards their older family members. The most frequently reported PHB included verbal aggression (16.8%) and ignoring (13.6%). A logistic regression analysis revealed that adult children and caregivers of disabled older people with behavioural disturbances were more likely to show PHB. In the present study, PHB towards the older people by family caregivers was associated with patients' behavioural disturbances and patient-caregiver kinship, i.e. an adult child as a caregiver. These findings should be taken into account when planning strategies to prevent PHB by family members.