Ways to live while receiving care at home, even when care is needed

• Due to illness or injury, or because of old age, I can no longer walk and cannot go to the hospital.
• I want to spend time at home or in a facility while receiving pain relief, knowing that I have an incurable serious illness such as cancer.

In such cases, if you wish to "stay at home," "stay in a facility," or "spend your final moments there," there is the option of home medical care.

We heard from participants at a symposium for citizens to learn about home medical care.

Mr./Ms. A (Resident of the city)

My husband's father suffered a stroke and developed dementia. He hoped to live in the house built by himself and his wife, enjoying alcohol and cigarettes as he pleased, surrounded by friendly neighbors. As his legs became worse and it became difficult for him to go to outpatient appointments on his own, he utilized home medical care such as visiting dentistry. While at home, he was able to talk about future matters and spend valuable time. He spent his last days in a facility, but the staff were kind and allowed him to live as he wished. I am very grateful.

Mr. B (Resident of the city)

For 10 years until my mother passed away at home, we utilized home medical and nursing care services. She repeatedly went in and out of the hospital due to chronic heart failure and other conditions, but she loved spending time at home and had difficulty adjusting to hospital or institutional life. I was working full-time, but I received information about home medical and nursing care from her attending physician and care manager, and with the support of visiting doctors, helpers, nurses, and friends, I was able to continue my mother's home care. During her home care, my mother was able to attend her grandchild's wedding, thanks to the home medical and nursing team who prepared hydration, medication adjustments, and a wheelchair that allowed her to stay for a long time.

By using the Physical Disability Certificate (for heart disease), there were no out-of-pocket costs for medical expenses. For about two years before passing away, helper services were utilized, and in the end, services outside of Long-Term Care Insurance (private helpers) were also used, which incurred significant costs.

In the end, they suffered from shingles and seemed to be in pain, but the visiting doctor prescribed medication to relieve the pain. They were able to live comfortably, which was a great help.

Mr./Ms. C (Resident of the city)

I experienced the end-of-life care for my 88-year-old mother. She was told that her lung cancer had recurred and that she had a short time left to live. Although she was receiving inpatient treatment, my mother wished to spend her time at home to be with her daughter (C's sister), who has a severe intellectual disability. It was difficult for us to go to the hospital together for her medication. When we went to the local pharmacy to pick up her medication, the pharmacist informed us about home medical care, and we decided to receive home medical services.

The only means of transportation for hospital visits was a taxi, which cost several tens of thousands of yen for a round trip. Considering the burden of preparing my sister and moving with my mother, I did not feel that the cost of having someone come to our home was high.

Home medical care is available 24 hours a day, even at night. The examinations were thorough, and I had no worries. Just before passing away, I received help from a visiting caregiver with toileting and bathing. I am especially grateful for the assistance with bathing, as it would have been difficult to manage on my own. I remember my mother being very happy to finally be able to take a bath, which was her long-held wish.

Do you know about home medical care?

Live Authentically Until the End: A Recommendation for Home Care - Short Version (Video Hosted by Tokyo Metropolitan Government)

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government presents Tokyo Video "Living Authentically Until the End: Recommendations for Home Care"(External Link)

Please make use of the Inagi City Home Medical Care and Nursing Care Coordination Map

We have compiled medical institutions and nursing care service providers for each of the four areas within Inagi City. Please make use of this information when utilizing home medical care and nursing services.

• Inagi City Home Medical Care and Nursing Care Coordination Map(External Link)

Inquiries and Consultations about Home Medical Care

Community General Support Center Hirao (Sakahama and Hirao District) Phone 042-331-6088
Community General Support Center Yanokuchi (Oshitate and Yanokuchi District) Phone 042-379-8575
Community General Support Center Elegant Momura (Daimaru, Higashi-Naganuma, and Momura District) Phone 042-379-5500
Community General Support Center Koyodai (Koyodai, Nagamine, and Wakabadai District) Phone 042-370-0040
Inagi Home Medical Care and Nursing Consultation Room Inside Inagi City Medical Association Phone 042-377-4964
Inagi City Hall Senior Welfare Division Community Support Section Phone 042-378-2111