Touring a Care Facility in Japan: Six Things to Check Before You Choose

From starting your search to moving in, choosing a care facility usually takes one to two months. One of the most important steps along the way is the visit, because it lets you see for yourself what brochures and websites can’t show. Based on the “visit checklist” we use in our training for care facility placement consultants, we have organized the points worth checking.

1. Building and rooms

• Room size, storage and where the toilet is

• How clean the shared areas are, and whether there are any odors

• Accessibility, such as steps and handrails

2. Staff and care

• Staff expressions and language, and how they speak to residents

• How many staff there are, and how many work at night

The atmosphere the people create often matters more to residents’ satisfaction than how new the building is.

3. Medical and nursing care

• Nurses’ working hours (daytime only, or around the clock)

• Partner medical institutions and home-visit doctor arrangements

• Whether the facility can handle the medical procedures and medication management the person needs

4. Daily life and meals

• Meal textures (such as finely chopped or soft meals) and, if possible, a tasting

• How often residents can bathe, and opportunities for recreation and outings

• Rules for visits and overnight stays away

5. Costs and contracts

• What the monthly fee does and does not include

• The amortization period for any advance payment and the rules for refunds

• The conditions under which fees may be revised

6. Safety and management

• The conditions under which a resident may be asked to move out

• The facility’s end-of-life care policy and track record

• How accidents and complaints are handled

Tips for getting more out of your visits

• Compare several places: Visit two or three facilities using the same points and summarize them in a comparison table to make the differences clear.

• Choose the right time: Visiting during a meal or recreation time shows you what everyday life is really like.

• Use a trial stay: If you are worried about adjusting to a new environment, a trial stay lets you check whether the facility is a good fit.

• Visit as a family: To help the family reach agreement, ideally everyone involved should visit together.

Don’t hesitate to ask about anything that concerns you during the visit, and before signing a contract, always check the details in the facility’s Explanation of Important Matters (jūyō jikō setsumeisho).

This article summarizes general checkpoints. What you need to confirm depends on the person’s condition and wishes.

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This is an English translation of a column originally published in Japanese by Next Co., Ltd.

About Next Co., Ltd. We support companies in Japan’s senior care and end-of-life planning (shukatsu) market through research, business development and training. Our English textbook, Senior End-of-Life Planning Textbook, explains the market from the big picture down to day-to-day practice, including senior housing and care facility placement consulting. See the English edition | Buy on Gumroad | Contact us