Due to the effects of various soaring prices, rising operating costs have become an issue for facilities for the elderly, and 40% of respondents in a survey of pay nursing homes answered that they are considering raising prices.
It is difficult to raise the price of facilities operated by the long-term care insurance system, and experts point out that "without public support, management may worsen and some elderly people may not be able to receive services."
The "National Association of Paid Elderly Homes" conducted an urgent questionnaire survey of paying nursing home operators that joined in April, and received responses from 130 of the 413 corporations.
As a result, 58 corporations, which is 45% of the respondents, answered that they intend to raise the usage fee.
When asked about the items that 58 corporations are considering,
▽ "food expenses" was the most common at 63%,
▽ "utility expenses" was 46%, and
▽ "administrative expenses" such as personnel expenses were 42%.
From the facilities that responded, "The contractor who outsources the kitchen has requested a price increase due to soaring food costs," "The electricity bill has doubled," and "Use a large communal bath or air conditioner to raise the price." There were a lot of voices such as "I have no choice but to do it."
Mitsunori Matsumoto, General Manager of the Business Promotion Department of the National Association of Paid Homes for the Elderly, said, "I don't know how much prices will rise, and there are voices saying that I'm swaying in my judgment." I don't want to raise it, but if various prices rise so far, I will have to decide to raise the price. This is the first time for me to do so. "
In addition, according to the "National Association of Health Facilities for the Elderly", which is a member of facilities for rehabilitation of the elderly, while there is an impact, the fee is set based on the national long-term care insurance system, so it is flexible. It means that there are facilities that are worried about how to respond while they cannot be raised.
Associate Professor Tatsuaki Takano of Toyo University, who is familiar with the management of facilities for the elderly and the long-term care insurance system, said, "Originally, the facilities for the elderly were kept low in compensation by the long-term care insurance system and continued to be severely managed. Some businesses will be in the red or will not be able to continue to operate. Some elderly people will not be able to receive services without public support. "
There are also sites where prices are soaring and prices cannot be raised.
Even if the soaring prices of various prices are heavy, there are some sites where we cannot take steps to raise the prices.
At the Long-Term Care Health Facility, which accommodates about 90 people in Mitaka City, Tokyo, it is said that the price of all equipment such as soap and paper cups is rising in addition to the utility bill.
Lighting is indispensable for the feet and feet so that the rehabilitating user does not fall, and it is necessary to set the temperature of the air conditioner low to prevent heat stroke after rehabilitation, and it is said that electricity is used more frequently.
In November of last year, it was expected that the construction work to switch the air conditioner to one with high energy-saving performance and the lighting to LED would cost about 150 million yen, and the utility cost could be reduced by about 500,000 yen a month.
However, due to soaring electricity bills, depending on the facility, utility bills from January to April increased by nearly 400,000 yen a month, an increase of more than 1.5 million yen in four months compared to the same period last year. It means that you are doing it.
In addition, about 40 people use day care a day, but due to the rise in gasoline prices, the gasoline cost of cars used for transportation has increased by more than 120,000 yen in four months.
However, it is said that most of the operating expenses are covered by the long-term care fee from the government, and it is not possible to raise the long-term care service fee by our own management judgment.
The prices of raw materials are rising for some of the expenses collected from users, such as food expenses, and there is a possibility that the contractor will ask you to raise the price of meals.
At the facility, we are concerned about the impact on future operations because we can only reduce costs by diligently turning off the lights in the room and setting the temperature of the air conditioner to 28 degrees to save electricity steadily.
Mr. Makoto Oka, the secretary general of the facility, said, "It's a difficult situation. I don't want to lower the quality of service, so if the price continues to rise, I have to think about cutting labor costs in the end. I want the government to think about measures and support for soaring prices. "