AN ANALYSIS ON THE BASIC CARE SITUATIONS IN HARMONIOUS CARE SERVICE CENTERS

Abstract

Harmonious care is a developing welfare system started in Toyama Prefecture in 2003. Similar centers recently spread throughout Japan and this study aims to clarify the comprehensive situation of these centers. Finding are as follows; 1) Harmonious care centers offer appropriate services for everyone, however social welfare and insurance systems lead the uneven users’ attributes. 2) Services include day care, nurture and short-stay. Some centers introduce job opportunity for handicapped. 3) 58 centers were purpose-built and 102 centers were renovated architecture which might be related with subsidies. 4) In purpose-built centers, the unity-type of space composition which is suitable for observing users is more. However, some centers have difficulty because of furniture layout.