5. The development of the long-term care system until now and future issues
(1) Development until now
1) Nov. 1999 | @ | 'Special measures for the smooth implementation of the long-term care insurance system'
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2) Apr. 2000 | The Long-term care insurance law was enforced.
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3) Sep. 2000 | 'Improvement measures for the fixation of the long-term care insurance system' (Agreed by the three government parties)
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4) Oct. 2000 | Receipt of 50% of insurance premiums by elderly persons begins
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5) Oct. 2001 | Receipt of original amount of insurance premiums by elderly persons begins |
(2) Future issues and schedule
@1) | Improvement of the Quality of Long-term care services |
(a) | Professional training for the improvement of long-term care for senile patients, study on long-term care for senile patients, other measurements for senile patients |
(b) | Promotion of the 'No Physical Restraint Campaign' |
(c) | Evaluation of long-term care services |
(d) | Increase single rooms and grou-care units at special nursing homes for the elderly |
(e) | Further assistance for care managers |
@2) | Preparation of the basis for provision of long-term care services |
(1) | In terms of special nursing homes for the elderly, construction of new-type homes characterized by all single rooms and group-care units shall be promoted. Along with this promotion, a scheme shall be made in which residents in the new-type homes pay a certain amount of accommodation fees, though there are some considerations for people with low income. ( from FY2003) |
(2) | In terms of "Care houses," constructed for the purpose of promoting assisted living, the category of entities that are permitted to run those care houses shall be expanded to for-profit private companies and other entities, and construction of those houses shall be promoted, in the style of public ownership and private management, through the use of PFI (Private Finance Initiative) scheme. |
@3) | Preparation for the second-stage planning for long-term care service from FY2003 |