A survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare found that about 275,000 people nationwide wanted to enter a special nursing home for the elderly as of April this year.
Although many elderly people are still waiting for admission, the trend continues to decline, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare believes that the fact that the elderly population itself is beginning to decline, mainly in depopulated areas, may also be affecting it.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare surveys people who wish to enter special nursing homes once every three years through prefectures, and summarized the results as of April this year.
As a result, the number of applicants for admission has reached about 275,000 nationwide, a decrease of about 50,000 from the previous survey in 2019.
At the peak of 2013, there were about 520,000 people who wanted to enter the facility, but since 2015, when the condition for admission has been set at nursing care level 3 or higher, it has decreased every time.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the reasons for this include the fact that the elderly population itself is beginning to decline, mainly in depopulated areas, and that the number of nursing care facilities other than special nursing homes for the elderly has increased.
Based on the results of this survey, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will continue efforts to reduce the number of elderly people waiting for admission.