Community Welfare Activities and Livelihood Support in a Hilly, Mountainous Area: Case Study of Gohoku District, Ino Town, Kochi Prefecture

Abstract

This article examines the community welfare activities and livelihood support services offered by a social welfare council in a hilly, mountainous area. Gohoku district, in the town of Ino, Kochi prefecture, has a shortage of human resources to support in-home living and monitoring requirements despite the existence of livelihood support needs identified during a municipal merger. The social welfare council, which was entrusted by the local government, has addressed livelihood support needs by recruiting home-grown talent and driving the elderly to a small-scale, multifunctional support center for daycare before returning them home, which is not covered by nursing-care insurance or mutual assistance. An interview survey demonstrated that service users enjoy conversations with each other and attending or participating in events. However, providing access to retail stores, banking facilities, and medical services is another important function of livelihood support.