From the 4th to the 8th of March, DIALOG Health organised a study tour on age care in Japan, in partnership with the
French Association for Directors caring for the Elderly (
AD-PA) and the
French Federation of private not-for-profit hospitals and care homes (
FEHAP).
Like most developed countries, Japan is facing the problem of dependency for its elders: an aging population due to a low birthrate and an exceptional life expectancy, late action planning to tackle the issue, cuts in public finances and labour shortage in health and social care services.
The Japanese government has decided to make
massive investment in new technologies and robotics to address this problem of aging population and late-life dependence in care homes and at home. During the four days of the study tour, the French delegation had the opportunity to find out the measures being experimented and implemented in the country.
From the
Koba laboratory at the University of Tokyo to the
Cyberdyne robotic care center in Shonan, the participants have learned about the latest Japanese innovations and technologies: an
exoskeleton to reduce the repetitive strain injuries (RSI) of health carers,
assistive robots developed to promote independent living for the elderly as well as a
connected medical bed making possible for carers to check the patients' condition (blood pressure, heart rate ...) without waking them up.
The French delegates have also gained insights into the Japan healthcare system through visiting several innovative care homes for older people.
The study tour has been a great opportunity for the participants to observe the development and the practical implementation of new trends in Japanese age care.