The shortage of caregivers in Japan could jeopardize the availability of nursing care for policyholders. Many nursing care service providers are struggling to meet demand due to an acute lack of staff.
Survey Highlights the Impact of Caregiver Shortages
A survey by the Nippon Care Service Craft Union in April revealed alarming findings about the state of home-visit nursing care in Japan. Over 1,000 administrators and care managers from home-visit service providers took part in the survey. It showed that 89.4% of administrators reported turning down requests for nursing care services at times in the past year due to insufficient caregivers.
Financial Struggles and Declining Revenues
Many service providers are also facing financial difficulties. More than 55% of administrators reported a drop in revenues last year, with 73.3% attributing the decline to the caregiver shortage. Care managers are also feeling the strain, as 68.3% said the shortage of caregivers prevented them from creating necessary care plans for individuals seeking help.
Union Calls for Immediate Government Action
Union officials warn that if the shortage persists, nursing care insurance policyholders may not receive the care they require. They urge the government to take immediate action to secure the necessary workforce, stressing that the current situation could threaten the entire nursing-care insurance system in Japan.
Government’s Response and Future Efforts
In 2024, Japan’s Health, Labour and Welfare Ministry began recruiting nursing staff from Southeast Asia to address the caregiver shortage. Additionally, the government proposed a nursing care education program in Indonesia to further bolster staffing levels. With Japan’s aging population, the need for long-term home care will only increase, making these efforts critical for the sustainability of the country’s nursing care system.
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