Aging Adults

The aging population worldwide is growing much faster than it did previously, particularly between 2015 and 2050. The number of people aged 60 years and older is expected to increase from 900 million to 2 billion. According to research by Fukui, Otsuki, Ikezaki, Fukahori, and Irie (2021), Japan has had the highest population aging rate since 2004. The annual death rate in Japan has now peaked at 1.3 million, with a mortality rate of 10.8%, and 10.0% of these deaths occur in nursing homes, including public long-term care facilities.

The revision of the long-term care insurance law in 2015 made it more challenging for prospective residents to be admitted to public nursing homes. The long-term care insurance system, initiated in 2010, was designed to meet the demands of older adults with disabilities based on a social insurance framework that supports independence. Older adults with certifications for long-term care service needs can access facility services, in-home services, and community-based services, depending on their physical and cognitive impairments.

Fukui, S., Otsuki, N., Ikezaki, S., Fukahori, H., & Irie, S. (2021). Provision and related factors of end-of-life care in elderly housing with care services in collaboration with home-visiting nurse agencies: A nationwide survey. BMC Palliative Care, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-021-00847-7