Innovative Portal 'Kaigo no Susume' Offers Free Access to Care Facility Data in Tokyo

Visualization of Care Vacancies: ‘Kaigo no Susume’ Goes Free in Tokyo

As Japan faces a significant demographic shift with a growing elderly population, the need for enhanced care solutions has become increasingly essential. Addressing these challenges, IRODORI Co., Ltd., located in Tokyo, has launched the innovative portal site 'Kaigo no Susume' (Care Recommendations). This initiative coincides with a trial project in Tokyo that aims to make care facility availability transparent and easily accessible.

Background of the Initiative

Tokyo has an estimated population of over 3.1 million seniors aged 65 and above, representing 23.5% of the city's populace. Furthermore, the number of individuals aged 75 and older has reached unprecedented levels, highlighting the urgent need for effective caregiving solutions. The Japanese government has underscored securing adequate home care services, implementing various policies for workforce stabilization and support. The 'Kaigo no Susume' portal positions itself as a significant social infrastructure in facilitating real-time access to crucial information on care facility availability, thereby enhancing the overall public value.

Details of the Trial

The primary goal of this trial is to evaluate whether care managers can rapidly access the latest facility availability and essential admission conditions, ultimately shortening the time necessary for referrals and adjustments with care providers.

Target Area

The trial will take place within Tokyo, with plans for gradual expansion to other regions.

Participants

The focus will be on an array of care facilities and organizations, including home care services, nursing services, and day care.

Trial Specifics

- Standardized Display: Care facilities will showcase their availability and admissions criteria clearly, including dates and specific conditions.
- Unified Information: Essential details such as location, contact information, operational hours, and cost estimates will be uniformly presented.
- Supplemental Data: Images, videos, and manager comments will provide additional context about the facilities.
- Cost: All listings during the trial period will be free.

Duration

The trial is expected to run throughout 2026, with continuous updates provided on the website.

Collaboration with Care Services

In developing the prototype, IRODORI has teamed up with local care organizations, such as Wakaba Care Center in Adachi and Palette Home Care in Edogawa, which will act as role models during the trial.

Insights from Care Providers

1. Wakaba Care Center: Shared resource platforms will make it easier for care managers to communicate effectively, reducing the time previously spent confirming availability through phone or fax. Having this information accessible at a glance may enhance the referral process significantly, fostering better community collaboration and improving service quality.

2. Palette Home Care: For in-home support, timely information sharing among care managers and associated professionals is crucial. An implementation like 'Kaigo no Susume' can reduce the burden of daily adjustments, allowing them to provide better-suited care to clients.

Features Offered for Free

- Multiple Criteria Search: Search by facility name, region, service type, or admission requirements.
- Availability Showcasing: Clear indication of availability dates, types of openings, and conditions.
- Basic Information Display: Standard information on locating, contacting, and cost estimates.
- Supplementary Data: Photos, videos, administrator comments, and job listings.
- Related Information: Access to care-related news and local governmental updates.

Future Developments

Learning from this trial, IRODORI aims to enhance and sustain the project in three main areas:

- Establishing guidelines for display standards and update protocols based on evaluations from the Tokyo trial.
- Exploring partnerships with local governments and related organizations to ensure the continued public availability of care information.
- Broadening the scope of services covered, including nursing homes and non-insured services, to encompass a wider range of care information.

Call to Action for Care Providers

This trial seeks to visualize urban caregiving information and invites care facilities and organizations in Tokyo that resonate with this vision to participate for free.

Benefits of Participation

1. Increased Referrals: Care managers can easily access and disseminate vacancy information, potentially boosting occupancy rates.
2. Free Job Listings: During the trial, facilities can list job openings at no cost, gaining visibility among industry professionals.