Index / Back

Direction of Health and Welfare Policies for
the Elderly over the Next Five Years

−Gold Plan 21−

 With the aging rate of the Japanese population set to reach the world's highest standard in 2000, a new plan has been devised to further improve the health and welfare policies for the elderly.

(1) Basic direction of the plan

  (Basic objectives)

I.Vitalizing the image of the elderly
The 21st century is the "century of the elderly". To build a brighter and energetic society, we must "vitalize the image of the elderly", helping as many senior citizens as possible socially participate in good health and a positive attitude to life.
II.Ensuring and supporting the independent living with dignity for the elderly
In order to help the elderly, in need of support, lead an independent life with dignity, and to support their families providing such care, we must define home-base care as the basic form of living for the elderly, and improve the foundation of long-term care services both qualitatively and quantitatively.
III.Developing mutually supportive local communities
In order to develop community-based support systems covering not only long-term care, but also all aspects of life, we must actively work toward developing local communities where residents can support each other, and improving the living environment for the elderly.
IV.Establishing long-term care services users can trust
In order to establish a user-oriented mechanism in the transition from cares given by the government to cares chosen by users, we must improve the environment for user protection and make a healthy development of long-term care services, with the aim of establishing user confidence in such services.

  (Period of the Plan)

The Gold Plan 21 covers a 5 year period from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2004. This is subject to revision according to changes in circumstances.

(2) Specific measures to be implemented in the future

 Efforts will be made to adequately implement the following projects, with a view to improve the foundation of long-term care services and provide living support measures, etc. at the same time. Support will also be extended to voluntary projects conducted by regional governments.

  1)Improving the foundation of long-term care services
"Long-term care services available whenever and wherever"
  • Secure human resources and enhance training.
  • Develop long-term care related facilities.
  • Improve the quality of services offered at such facilities.
  2)Promoting support measures for the senile elderly
"Building a society where the elderly can live with dignity"
  • Develop group homes for senile elderly.
  • Improve the quality of long-term care for senile patients.
  • Enhance the system for protecting the rights of the elderly.
  3)Promoting measures to revitalize the elderly
"Implementation of the 'Project Youthful Elderly'"
  • Promote a comprehensive approach in disease management.
  • Build a regional rehabilitation system.
  • Promote a positive attitude in life, preventative approach in long-term care, and social participation by the elderly.
  4)Developing a support system in communities
"Creation of supportive and caring communities"
  • Support to build a caring community.
  • Enhance living support services.
  • Improve the living environment, etc.
  5)Developing long-term care services which protect and are trusted by users.
"Creating services which one can choose with confidence"
  • Promote the use of information technologies and protection of users.
  • Encourage entries into the industry by a diverse range of businesses.
  • Develop and spread welfare devices.
  6)Establishing a social foundation supporting the health and welfare of the elderly
"Laying the foundation supporting health and welfare"
  • Promote longevity science.
  • Promote social welfare education.
  • Promote international exchanges.

(3) Amount of long-term care services provided in the fiscal 2004

 Under the Long-Term Care Insurance program, each local government estimates the amount of long-term care services available in the future. The following tables show the estimated amount of long-term care services in the fiscal year 2004:

(Home-visit services)
Category (New Gold Plan target)
FY 1999 FY 2004
Home-visit long-term care 225 million hours
(home help services) 170,000 people (350,000 people)*
Home-visit nursing care 44 million hours
Home-visit nursing care stations 5,000 facilities (9,900 facilities)*

(Commuting-type)
Commuting long-term care (Day service) 105 million visits
Commuting rehabilitation (Day care) 17,000 facilities (26,000 facilities)*

(Short-stay-type services)
Short-term stay at care facility /
Medical care service through a short-term stay

For 60,000 people
(beds exclusive for short stay)
4,785,000 weeks
For 96,000 people
(beds exclusive for short-term stay at
care facility nursing care)

(Facility-type services)
Welfare facilities for the elderly requiring long-term care (Special home for the elderly) For 290,000 people For 360,000 people
Health care facilities for the elderly requiring long-term care For 280,000 people For 297,000 people

(Living support-type services)
Daily life care in communal living for the elderly of dementia (Group home for the elderly with dementia) 3,200 facilities
Low-cost home for the elderly with long-term care services (Care house) For 100,000 people For 105,000 people
Center for the life and welfare of the elderly 400 facilities 1,800 facilities

  Notes 1:The figures in brackets for the fiscal year 2004 are estimations calculated on set premises.
2:Sanatorium type medical care facilities for the elderly requiring care are designated by prefectural governors, upon application from sanatorium type wards.

(As agreed by the Ministers of Finance, Health and Welfare, and Home Affairs on December 19, 1999)


Overview of Measures for the Gold Plan 21


Return To Top
Index / Back