Abstract
The objective of this follow-up survey was to investigate the issue of measures for home renovations provided under Long-term Care Insurance (LTCI). Eightyeight subjects (77.4±8.9 years, 61 females and 27 males) who availed themselves of the LTCI home renovation services in the fiscal year 2002 in Mihara city participated in this study. Three-hundred and twenty-three renovation users in 2002, excluding thirty-nine fatalities and seven inhabitants who relocated elsewhere, were invited to participate (consent ratio 27%). They were evaluated in their homes 541±120 days after their renovation was completed. Fifteen examinees (17%) abandoned the use of some modifications, which made them cease at least one activity such as going to the lavatory, taking a bath, and exiting through a home entrance, within six months after their home renovation. Three patients who required the use of a wheelchair indoors abandoned this immediately after the renovation. The other 12 cases without any lessening bumps abandoned some activity after deterioration in the users' function. For the users with cognitive disorders, the odds ratio of abandonment by six months was higher, compared with those without cognitive disorders (p = 0.001). The results of this study revealed that we are confronted with problems when attempting home renovations for people who begin to use a wheelchair indoors and elderly patients with cognitive disorders.
