[Practical use of informal services and cooperation with psychologists under the long-term care insurance]

Home care of patients is mainly performed by visiting nurses. To adequately perform the care, many type of knowledge are needed. Especially psychological approaches can minimize the pain to the patients and their family and shortening its duration and raising the efficacy of the treatment. Cooperation with clinical psychologists can be effective. We present three cases who were difficult to help by nurses alone Thus, Nurses provided in cooperation with the psychologists. First case was a 27-year-old man with cerebral palsy. Second case was a 55-year-old man with lung cancer, terminal stage. Third case was a 60-year-old man with amyotrophic lateral sclepsis. Through these different cases, we recognized the difficulties of medical care at home and also the importance of cooperation with psychologist. With the aging of society, the amount and type of home care needed will increase. Under long term insurance, the various type of knowledge, especially, psychological approaches is important. At the same time, training and education in this field for visiting nurses is required.