Support to prevent older people from becoming housebound through mutual aid among residents: a qualitative study

As Japan faces super-aging of the population and a declining birthrate, the shortage of caregivers for older people who require support in the country and a decrease in their quality of life, have become prominent issues. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare recommends mutual aid among local residents in providing such support.

To qualitatively analyse issues at hand with a focus on individual visits by welfare commissioners as part of the support to promote early detection and prevention of houseboundness in older people through mutual aid among residents.

Semi-structured interviews with welfare commissioners in two cities were conducted and and analysed.

Among issues faced during individual visits by welfare commissioners, six categories were identified as problems.

Welfare commissioners conduct individual visits to provide psychological support for older people who are housebound, including those who refuse to participate in group settings. Our findings highlight the need to revive the community structure that previously existed in Japan, in which residents of all ages are acquainted with each other, and to assist in efforts to support older people through mutual aid among residents.