When people realize their parents are getting older and think, “It might be time to start providing care,” most of them don’t know where to begin. They’re at a loss—should they go to the local government office or a hospital? For families facing this “first time providing care,”...

"I feel like my child is a little behind in speech compared to other kids." "They’re so particular that even a simple daily outing is a struggle." As a parent, there may be moments when you feel a sense of unease about your child’s development—moments when you think, “Huh?” When you notice that sense of unease, it feels like a tight knot in your chest...

“It’s been a while since I last saw them, but have they lost a little weight?” “Is it because of their age that they’re reluctant to turn on the air conditioning…?” When you return home for Obon, do you ever suddenly notice that kind of “something’s off” feeling? It’s a sign that your parents’ daily routines are starting to fall out of sync due to the intense summer heat...

Your family's hospitalization treatment has been successfully completed, and you are finally discharged from the hospital. On the one hand, you are relieved that your family member's illness is better and that he/she can finally come home, but on the other hand, are you feeling overwhelmed by sudden anxiety, wondering how you will take care of him/her at home from tomorrow? Especially, hospitalization...

This series, which has covered everything from the start of long-term care to choosing a facility, has now reached its final installment. The question we ultimately arrive at is, “How should we approach the end of life?” “Where and how should our parents spend their final days to be the happiest?” When considering this, many people think of medical care...

“Maybe I just can’t take care of them at home anymore.” When that thought suddenly crosses their minds, many people are overcome with intense self-loathing. “Wouldn’t placing them in a facility mean I’m abandoning my parents?” But I want to say this loud and clear: Moving a parent into a facility is not “abandoning them...”.

When symptoms of dementia begin to appear, family members often feel as though their once-kind parents have become completely different people, or they get frustrated when asked the same question over and over again—and their emotional reserves are often stretched to the limit. “Why don’t they understand? I just told them that a moment ago…” You can’t help but think that...

Many people may be feeling a little relieved now that they’ve been certified for long-term care insurance and have started using the services. However, providing care is like running a marathon. Even if you can power through with sheer willpower right after you start, as time goes on, you’ll find yourself thinking, “Huh? I’m starting to feel a little tired…” more and more often. If only I could be a little more resilient...

“I feel like I’ve been forgetting things more often lately.” “Cooking and grocery shopping—things that used to be so easy—seem to be getting a little harder…” Every time you visit your parents or call them, there are moments when you notice small changes in them. When you catch that “Huh?” moment, many families think, “Just a little more...”.

If you go to the hospital, you can get a medical examination. But it’s hard to ask for advice on how to care for your child at home. At daycare centers and therapeutic education facilities, it’s difficult to expect them to provide specialized medical judgments. ——When raising children, there are many moments when you feel this “barrier between healthcare and social services.” Your child’s health, their development...