News
H.C.R. 2004 News No. 2 (August/16/2004）
- 645 Exhibitors - Largest Number Ever
- First Guidelines for Use of Home Care and Rehabilitation Equipment
645 Exhibitors - Largest Number Ever
At this year's 31st Int. Home Care & Rehabilitation Exhibition, H.C.R. 2004, there will be 645 companies and organizations (568 domestic and 77 overseas companies) from 14 countries and 1 territory participating, with an overall increase of 16 companies. There has been an increase in the average number of booths per company and this year's exhibition will be held on the largest scale ever. In regard to the overseas companies, there has been an increase of 16 companies in comparison to the number of participants last year. In addition, we will have a total of 112 new exhibitors joining us.
Exhibits in product categories such as "Bed related" and "Mobility equipment" have increased in comparison to last year's exhibits and "Daily Living Aid" exhibits have also increased.
First Guidelines for Use of Home Care and Rehabilitation Equipment
On April 19, The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan compiled “Guidelines for Determining Benefits for Home Care and Rehabilitation Equipment Covered by the Long-term Care Insurance,” obtained public opinions, and then released to the prefectural and designated city governments on June 17, the resulting guidelines.
As of December of last year, the rate of increase in the usage of home care and rehabilitation equipment was still high at 30.5 % in comparison to the previous year. However, it was pointed out that there were also cases of inappropriate usage of such equipment. For example, persons certified as requiring a low level of long-term care or support began experiencing a worsening in their condition, which was reportedly caused by the use of wheelchairs and electric beds. The Ministry drafted the guidelines after thoroughly examining and following up on more than 4,500 actual cases of home care and rehabilitation equipment users to be able to determine appropriate home care and rehabilitation equipment benefits and proper usage.
The details of the guidelines are separated by type of equipment with an explanation of the equipment, conditions and care levels for which equipment may not be highly recommended. For example, a manual wheelchair may not be highly recommended for persons categorized by the standards of the long-term care requirement as “being able to walk without holding on to anything.” Additionally, in regard to care levels, persons certified as requiring support, many of whom are able to walk without holding on to anything, may not be highly recommended to use a wheelchair.
The Ministry would like to have care managers use the guidelines when making their care plans. On the other hand, there is public concern that the use of home care and rehabilitation equipment by persons certified as requiring a low level of care may be restricted without exception. Industry groups have also submitted their opinions in writing to the Ministry. In the announcement of the guidelines, the Ministry mentioned various points to keep in mind. For example, even though a person is categorized under the guidelines as not highly recommended to use equipment, that person may be recommended to use equipment and the appropriateness of the guideline should be discussed, seeking opinions of specialists during the conference with the user, care provider, and care manager. Within the guidelines, it was also stated that measures will be taken to further examine and review the recommendations and ample ongoing discussions will continue.
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