SilverEco® in Japan:
the Japanese Age Care

From June 11-15th 2019, a delegation of 12 experts from France, Poland, Switzerland and Brazil gathered in Tokyo for the SilverEco® and Aging Well International 2019 Awards. The purpose of the study mission was to identify Japanese Age Care lessons that other countries can learn from. Indeed, recognizing that the aging of the population is a crucial societal issue, Japan has implemented a number of policies such as the integration of disability prevention services into long-term care benefits. Combining the strengthening of communities and robotization, Japan is an inspiring example of solutions for an aging society.

Robotic automation
Japan has invested heavily in the development of robotics to overcome its lack of manpower and the rapid aging of its population. The international delegation led by Jérôme Pignier has discovered several truly innovative solutions, carried by the Koba laboratory of the University of Tokyo: within the Shenan Robot Care Center, they have been able to test the HAL combination, an exoskeleton of Cyberdyne Inc. This smart suit assists caregivers in their daily actions and reduces the development of musculoskeletal disorders. The NAO robot also appealed to delegates with its varied features to stimulate the elderly.

The Sompo Holdings Group's Future CareLab is working on the society 5.0, where sensors are ubiquitous for automating and securing care for the elderly. This lab has developed a number of solutions, such as the automation of electronic health records in nursing, including automated weight, temperature, voltage and diet input, a SMART coverage that provides a clear overview of the use of the beds and also indicates the quality of the user's sleep or a flexible bed that turns into a chair, and possibly wheelchair work.

Home and residencial care
The Wakabe community is an organization that offers different levels of services, from the skilled nursing to day care, in an integrated and seamless continuum. This former school converted into a center for seniors is open to neighbors, who find the support they need every day. The Kotoen residence also promotes intergenerational with the installation of a nursery in its premises.

To cope with the increase in the number of older people, innovative solutions are being created, such as the Aeon Kasai department store, which has been renovated to become a GG Mall (Grand Generation Mall), ie a shopping center. suitable for seniors. They go there to do their shopping but also to socialize and carry out activities in the new fitness studio to promote health or cultural club Aeon.

The delegates were very excited by the possibilities that Japan is showing in the field of age care. The application in real life of the potential of new technologies and robotization is already transforming care for elder Japanese.