P-20 Information and technical support centre for promotion of end of life care with enhanced advanced care planning at home and local communities in the super-aged society, Japan

Abstract

Background Integrated Community Care System (ICCS) is constructed under lead of Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the elderly to continue living in hometown to end-of-life (EOL) with sense of security in unprecedented aged society, Japan. For assurance of sense of security, provision of high-quality EOL care (EOLC) with promotion of advance care planning (ACP) is essential. MHLW has established 105 of Regional Bridgeheads to Promote Co-operation between Medical and Long-term Care (RBPCMLC) with geriatric interdisciplinary team through In-Home/Long-Term Care 2012 project. Aim To support RBPCMLCs for establishment of own ICCS at their communities. Methods MHLW entrusted Information and Technical Support Centre (ITSC) for RBCMLCs to Division of Home Care Promotion (DHCP), National Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology (NCGG) since 2012. In ITSC at DHCP, NCGG, information about activities of RBCMLCs was gathered and analysed. Results With leadership by ITSC according to MHLW policy, medical sectors, especially Japanese Medical Association, has started to collaborate with long-term care sectors for creation of local health-conscious communities under co-operation with local administrations and neighbourhood associations. However, supplies of medical care, especially EOLC, still run short and promotion of ACP is underway. From 2013, numbers of RBCMLCs were increased to 350 and construction of ICCS was continued with regular budget of local governments. Conclusion Acts for Securing Comprehensive Medical and Long-Term Care in the Community in 2014 was major achievements of RBCMLCs activities and promotion in ACP for high-quality EOLC at community hospitals is entrusted to DHCP, NCGG by MHLW.