While Japan’s elderly folks and their needs get plenty of media attention, and justifiably so, considering the country is the world’s fastest ageing society – far less public consideration is given to Japan’s disabled population, who are, sadly, often abandoned by the wayside in the focus on elderly support and needs fulfilment.
“Group Homes” (or, as they’re often known in Western countries, “Way-Homes”), are facilities designed to assist impaired folks who are still able to participate in society, by bridging the gap between institutionalized care and general society – providing those who do not quite fit in any of the two extreme environments with mid-range care and residential options suitable for their needs. As opposed to nursing homes, which are licensed operations requiring constant supervision, including psychiatric & general medical care professionals, around the clock – “group homes” are residential spaces providing care and support for impaired folks, and do not require special compliance beyond a single licensed site manager.
Services include meals, cleaning, supervision of self-administered medicine regimes, communications with hospitals, clinics and government offices, financial assistance for self-management of funds (if required) and other daily support needs.
“OWL Group Home” is one of Japan’s leading group homes network, a franchise with dozens of locations nation-wide – it provides a crucial social service, which is always in high demand.