[Possibilities for detection of homebound elderly people through the welfare commissioner (Minsei-iin)]

The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate the percentage of homebound elderly people that could actually be detected through commissioners who consciously tried to detect and provide information regarding these people, and (2) to identify difficulties that commissioners experienced when attempting to detect and provide information about such people.

This study was conducted in one of the districts of a city in Kanto area. The percentage of detection of homebound elderly people was calculated by following the 3 steps described below. First, the number of homebound elderly people was estimated by using the probability sample survey on elderly people living in the district. Second, detection and information activities were conducted by the commissioner in the district over a 2-month period. Finally, the detection rate through the commissioner's efforts was calculated. The detection rate was calculated by dividing the number of homebound elderly people detected through commissioners by the estimated number of homebound elderly people in the district. The difficulties that commissioners experienced were analyzed by using the KJ method to analyze qualitative data obtained from focus group interview surveys for commissioners.

The commissioners actually detected and reported 1.4% of homebound elderly people. The difficulties in detection and reporting included the lack of opportunities for detection and hesitation in providing information about homebound elderly people.

Although the commissioners are not completely responsible for detection of homebound elderly people, the rate of detection through these commissioners can be higher. To improve this rate of detection, the commissioner's other responsibilities need to be limited and the anonymity of the commissioners who provided information regarding homebound elderly people should be restricted to avoid harming their relationships with the elderly.