I'm going to be providing care from now on, but what exactly should I do to provide care?
How do I start using the long-term care insurance system?
Nursing care issues often arise suddenly. A family member who was healthy until last month suddenly becomes in need of care due to illness or injury
Many people say, "I never thought my family member would become ill or injured and need nursing care," and many people probably start to worry about what to do once they find themselves in a situation where they need nursing care
This time, we will explain about nursing care and provide a clear explanation of what you need to do to use the nursing care insurance system
table of contents
About nursing care
Although it is simply called nursing care, there is a wide range of activities involved
The areas of care that require care vary from person to person, but broadly speaking, they can be divided into areas such as eating, toileting, changing clothes, cleaning, bathing, and going out
meal
Requiring assistance with meals may mean being unable to prepare or eat meals by yourself
It would be good if they could eat normal meals, but as they get older, their swallowing ability decreases, so they may have to make porridge or blend their side dishes to make them thicker. If their teeth are bad, spilling food can be an issue, so mealtime care requires a variety of considerations
excretion
If your child is unable to go to the toilet on their own, you may need to use diapers. If you use diapers, it is likely that your child will be unable to stand up or move on their own, so you will need to change the diaper. There are many different types of diapers, so it is best to choose one based on how mobile your family members are and how often you can change diapers
If your child is able to get out of bed, using a portable toilet is an option. If they are able to move a little more, it may be enough to help them get to the toilet or pull up their pants
changing clothes
There may be cases where they need help getting changed. If they are unable to get changed on their own, it is possible that they are unable to get up on their own
In addition to helping them get changed, you may also need to assist them with various other tasks before they get changed, such as wiping their body while they are getting changed, helping them stand up, and getting them out of bed
cleanliness
This refers to actions such as styling your hair, brushing your teeth, and shaving. If you spend your life constantly in bed, you will inevitably stop brushing your teeth, putting on makeup, and shaving. However, not performing these self-care actions can lead to a variety of problems, such as periodontal disease and tooth decay, or becoming reluctant to go out because your hair is not in good condition. This can lead to spending more time in bed, which can disrupt your daily rhythm
Even if you cannot move from your bed, it is important to practice self-care at times that are as similar to your normal routine as possible, so that you can live a balanced life
bathing
Bathing is one of the most labor-intensive aspects of caregiving
As we get older, bathing can become a hassle, and we may not be able to fit into a bathtub, so we end our bathing with a shower
In addition, the extreme temperature difference in the bathroom increases the risk of heart attacks, and the foam can make the washing area slippery, making people afraid of falling, making it difficult for them to actively bathe
If you are unable to bathe as you would like, it is a good idea to take a bath during the warmer days of the day or warm up the bathroom with a shower.In addition to solving bathing problems on your own, you should also consider using a day care service that will visit you or provide bathing assistance
going out
When walking becomes difficult, people use a pushcart or wheelchair. Opening and closing a wheelchair and loading it into a car is surprisingly hard work. Even though barrier-free access has progressed, when you go outside, there are uneven roads and slopes that make it difficult to push a wheelchair
Accompanying someone to hospital visits or shopping is also an important form of caregiving. For some people, going to the hospital or shopping is the only opportunity they have to go out, so opportunities to go out become precious to them. By taking time to do things, you can avoid problems such as falling while out
To use the long-term care insurance system
By using the long-term care insurance system, you can receive a variety of services
The place to apply for nursing care insurance is the city hall of the city, ward, town or village where the person who needs nursing care lives. The department in charge varies depending on the city, ward, town or village
Shortly after applying for long-term care insurance, a long-term care insurance certification investigator will come to the home of the person who will be using the insurance to conduct a "certification survey." During this survey, the certification investigator will ask various questions to understand the person's condition
Once the certification survey is complete, the level of care required will be determined by the Nursing Care Certification Review Board. Along with the certification survey, a letter of opinion from the patient's doctor will also be submitted as reference material
The level of care required is divided into seven levels, from the lightest level to levels requiring assistance 1 and 2, and levels requiring care 1 to 5. The higher the level of care required, the more services are available. (Level 5 is the most severe level.)
Once the level of care required is determined, a care manager will be assigned to you. You will then meet with the care manager to discuss and sign a contract regarding which services to use, and begin using the services
There are a variety of services available, including having a helper come to your home, using day care services, receiving visiting nurses, and getting help from a variety of professionals in the caregiving field
Since the services needed vary from person to person, it is a good idea to speak frankly with your care manager about what is troubling you in your current life and what you would like to solve
summary
In this article, we have provided an easy-to-understand explanation of nursing care, including the nursing care insurance system
Because nursing care issues can suddenly arise, it is important to research in advance what nursing care entails, what systems are available, etc. If you try to research this after you have actually needed nursing care, you may not have the time or mental space to make a calm decision
While you still have time, start researching and understanding the long-term care insurance system little by little
References
・Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: What is long-term care insurance?
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000801559.pdf