Prospects for introducing the Eden alternative to Japan

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Management
• Social Sciences

Background:

• The Eden Alternative philosophy is a person-centered approach to elder care.
• No elder care facilities in Japan have formally adopted the Eden Alternative.
• Understanding current perceptions is crucial for introducing new care models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess care worker and nurse perceptions of elder care in Japan.
• To explore the feasibility of introducing the Eden Alternative philosophy to Japan.
• To identify resident well-being issues relevant to the Eden Alternative.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional descriptive study design.
• Survey questionnaire developed based on Eden Alternative principles.
• 139 care workers and 41 nurses participated.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of participants perceived residents experienced helplessness, loneliness, and boredom.
• Participants supported incorporating plants and children's visits.
• Opinions were divided regarding the presence of animals.

Conclusions:

• Care staff recognize issues aligning with the Eden Alternative's core concerns.
• There is significant potential for implementing the Eden Alternative in Japanese elder care.
• Addressing resident well-being through person-centered care is a viable prospect.