Departments

Many aging countries, not only Japan, are in a transition period; demographics are changing, and more chronic and multimorbidity disease structures are developing. The definition of “health” or the concept of “support” have thus been shifting from “cure” to “care,” from the medical model to the ecological model, with significant value placed on quality of life.

Conversely, most of our care and care delivery systems are still fragmented, lacking continuity, which decreases quality of care and increases emergence of useless costs. We are also facing a severe shortage in the care workforce.

We have therefore been trying to develop a sustainable community care model or to increase the resilience of the community, which could enhance quality of life for people who need care, people who provide care, or others. We aim to reduce resource demand by mobilizing individuals and the community, introducing the concept of community-based integrated care.

Japan’s community-based integrated care system is defined as “a comprehensive system in the community that provides appropriate living arrangements and appropriate social care, such as daily life support services, in addition to long-term care, medical care and prevention.” It is intended to ensure aging in place.

The Health and Social Service division offers you various chances to learn, think, reflect, and exchange ideas on community-based integrated care systems at the clinical, management, and system levels.