Abstract
The daycare service system, a daycare program for patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID), was established in Japan over 20 years ago. There are more than 300 daycare service institutions, and about 6,000 patients with SMID now use this system. However, it is uncertain whether there are an adequate number of institutions in Japan. This study examined the distribution of institutions in Hyogo Prefecture, as an investigation on a nationwide scale was unfeasible. There are six institutions in the capital city of Kobe and six institutions elsewhere in the prefecture. There is no accepted standard for the proper distribution of institutions in a city. In Kobe, the number of institutions has increased according to demand. Using the situation in Kobe as a benchmark, this research concluded that eight additional institutions are needed in Hyogo Prefecture outside the city of Kobe to enable all individuals with SMID to use the daycare service system with ease and safety.
