"Huh?"—That's the First Step: A Guide to the Timing and Procedures for Applying for Long-Term Care Certification in Numata City

"I feel like I've been forgetting things more often lately." "Cooking and shopping—things that used to be easy—seem to be getting a little harder..." Every time I visit my parents or call them, there are moments when I notice these small changes in them.

When they notice that "Huh?", many families"Let's wait and see for a little while longer."And so, I gently convince myself of this. I don’t want to admit that they still need care—that complex parental sentiment is perfectly natural.

However, that sense of unease is also a sign that parents themselves are experiencing inconvenience or anxiety in their daily lives. As the first installment of the series “Guidance for Caring for Parents and Beyond,” this article covers how to use long-term care insurance services in Numata City."The First Step"I've organized this as simply as possible.

1. When should I apply?

I'll start with the conclusion."If your daily life starts to be affected even slightly, do it right away."That is the correct answer.

Receiving a “certification of need for long-term care” does not mean treating your parents as “elderly.” Rather, by receiving support tailored to their current physical condition and the extent of their memory loss,To help parents enjoy time being themselves for as long as possibleIt is intended for that purpose.

If even one of the following applies, it constitutes sufficient grounds for the application.

• My gait has become unsteady, and I'm now at risk of falling
• I’ve started needing assistance with bathing and using the restroom
• My memory has been getting worse, and it’s become difficult to manage cooking and my medications

There is a long gray area between “I’m still okay” and “I’ve reached my limit.” Since the certification process takes about a month from application to results,“Take action ”when you realize it,“ not ”after you’re in trouble”That’s the key to easing the burden on your family.

2. Application Steps in Numata City

The administrative procedures may seem a little complicated, but the process can be broken down into three main steps. As long as you keep the key points in mind, you’ll be fine.

1. Contact the Help Desk
   First, call the “Community Comprehensive Support Center” in your area. Simply tell them, “I’ve been concerned about my parent’s well-being lately and would like to talk about it,” and a staff member will listen to your concerns.
2. Complete the application process
   Please have your “Long-Term Care Insurance Card” (the card issued to individuals aged 65 and older) ready, and submit the application form at the front desk of the Numata City Hall or any of its branch offices.
3. Receive a home visit and notification of the results
   At a later date, a city investigator will visit your home to assess your physical and mental condition. Based on your primary care physician’s medical report and other factors, your “level of care need” will be determined in approximately one month.

"I don't know which counter to go to or what documents to bring"—If that's the case, please refer to the list below.

If possible, please have a family member present during the home visit. The person being assessed tends to answer, “I can do it,” but,It’s the words of family members living together that can help address the real challenges of everyday life.That's why.

3. Don't struggle with this on your own—ask a professional for help.

As the process moves forward, the biggest concern for families is"Parents are reluctant to apply"That’s the challenge. That’s exactly when we step in. At our organization, our care consultation specialists work with you to figure out how to convince your parents to accept the support you’re offering.

Inquiries like this are not at all uncommon. The key is not to jump straight into “long-term care.” For example, here’s one way to take a “detour”:

• From the health checkup at Uchida Hospital
  You can visit the clinic “for a health checkup,” and as part of that process, specialized staff can also provide consultation on long-term care.
• From Community Gathering Places
  Instead of immediately presenting it as a “nursing facility,” if you suggest day care as a “place to socialize with people of the same generation,” it makes it much more accessible.

4. Caregiving is a “team effort.”

Just because you’ve started providing care doesn’t mean your family has to shoulder the entire burden. By bringing care managers, day care services, and professionals from medical and welfare organizations like ours into your “team,” the burden will be significantly lightened.

• Since professionals handle the systems and procedures, family members can take action without hesitation.
• By coordinating medical and long-term care services, we can quickly detect changes in a person’s physical condition.
• Above all, before you become a “caregiver,” make sure to set aside time to spend with your parents as a child, sharing smiles with them.

"I don't know where to start."Why not entrust those feelings to us? Let’s take that first step together as you begin your caregiving journey in Numata City.

＼ Please feel free to contact us if you have any problems ／.

Medical Corporation Daiseikai, Uchida Hospital, Community Healthcare Coordination Office
(TEL) 0278-24-5329

Uchida Home Care Office
(TEL) 0278-23-7535

▶ Click here for Taiseikai's care services.

▶ Click here for Kuninkai's nursing care services.