lifestyle

Woman's refund of nursing home deposit a rarity in aging Japan

9 Comments
By Yuri Kageyama

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There are no official data, but the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan, a government-backed agency, reports growing problems with residents of assisted living facilities who decide to leave but have a hard time getting those big one-time payments back.

Well then just make these payments illegal.

payments that are customary in Japan although they've been banned in other wealthy nations.

Other countries have.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

"The reasons for such payments have always been unclear," said Kosei Ogawa, Makino's lawyer. "It serves as an expression of gratitude."

This statement should be included in the Cell Phone article as well. There are things in Japan that will never change.

¥400,000 down to ¥50,000 per month is super cheap. But if the food is horrible, and the staff neglective with emergency alarms firing off all the time, it must be quite stressful. I would prefer to die alone.

To prevent dying alone, a simple cheap Chromebook with a daily log in and a few questions to confirm one is eating and feeling well is all that is needed. Why doesn't the govt. set that up?

I eventually plan to do that with my family.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

To prevent dying alone, a simple cheap Chromebook with a daily log in and a few questions to confirm one is eating and feeling well is all that is needed. Why doesn't the govt. set that up?

How are going to expect someone with dementia to remember what they have eaten for breakfast when they can't remember what they did five minutes ago, or can't remember that their husband or wife passed away 5 years ago or turns night into day.

On top of that not every person, over 65,70,80 wants a computer or can use a computer or even log in.

These technical solutions usually only work with people who use tech and are healthier.

On top of that what if the person falls?, breaks a hip? Gets stuck in a bath? You would need a different system,

All these tech solutions will never replace the smile, touch and ear of a carer, or just a hello.

All this fantasy of robots doing health care is just that.....fantasy. Robots can't give you support, patience, empathy, warmth, feed you, clean you, can't take you to the toilet, can't talk to you, listen or touch, hold your hand or have a cup of coffee or tea together or even share a simple candy. All the tech won't remove the sense of being alone. Cute robot toys are just that, cute robot TOYS and are just for newspapers. Much more would be done with a real dog, or cat/pet. Patients who live alone have always said pets gives them a purpose to get up, and got out, removes that sense of loneliness, and in return they receive unconditional positive regard by real living creature. Chromebook could never calculate that.

Patients have alway, valued a human being... Just being there. Even if that human doesn't say anything, just the close proximity and being available was the most valued quality in care.( I can't find the reference for that).

People need way more than just a five minute log in, to see if they've been eating, taken their meds and are feeling well.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Retirement homes in the UK are a complete rip-off too. So Japan isn't alone.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Good to see someone with fighting spirit. Why should she pay money as "expression of gratitude" if she was treated so horribly? She didn't pay hefty money to feel like sleeping next to an fire station every night. Complacency only encourages mediocracy in anything, anywhere and anyone.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

She should not have been awarded the refund. Just because the company SHE CHOSE failed to live up to her expectations. She is at fault as she should have been more careful choosing a reputable company. 

Entitlement knows no age

I guess you have never had to live and sleep every night with noisy neighbours, and expect to do that for the rest of your life.

If you thought about it, you would understand why people call the police when they have noisy neighbours.

Nobody knows what a place is like to live in until they've bought a place and moved in.

Entitlement knows no age. We could say the same for ignorance too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

She should not have been awarded the refund. Just because the company SHE CHOSE failed to live up to her expectations. She is at fault as she should have been more careful choosing a reputable company.

Entitlement knows no age

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

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